Robert Lauzon

The weakening U.S. dollar is a function of competitive currencies. Europe is starting to raise rates now. The cooling of the U.S. dollar is a key ingredient in the ending of the bear market in equities but there are others as well. The lower dollar also is better for earnings of big corporations and strengthening growth stocks. We are in a confusing situation because interest rates are rising at the same time as slowing growth and lower earnings, but we could still be many months away from a mild recession because the unemployment rate is so low. He sees rolling recessions and the U.S. in the later innings of raising rates. Stock pickers should should know their companies well and in particular look for ones raising guidance in this environment. Looking ahead there is a better outlook for Health Care especially in the med-tech area. Also maybe financials and alternate energy.

It has some relationship with the commodity price of iron ore so its dividend varies over the years. It is coming down to 7 to 8% but this still makes it still a good income stock.

It has always been part of their health care portfolio. It is losing some lustre and interest created by Covid but is still a good health care company with a good dividend. He likes others as well, maybe a bit better.

It has come down a lot along with the valuation multiples of growth stocks, making its valuation more attractive. It still has some acquisitions to digest. He likes Service Now (NOW) a little better. Growth stocks should improve. Start to add on dips in tech and growth companies.

It is a long term hold and should do better once the deal is done. He doesn't own telcos right now but Telus has been his favourite. It is below market valuation. Telcos are not high growth compared to other sectors.

(A Top Pick Oct 18/21, Down 75%) He sold in February/March after holding for 4 to 5 months. It had some company specific problems including a security breach even though it is cyber security company. Because of attrition in sales it is having difficulty keeping some of its sales people. Non-profitable tech got hit hard this year.

(A Top Pick Oct 18/21, Up 17%) It is an energy infrastructure and energy royalty company and therefore a lower risk play. It did a good acquisition and raised its dividend today. The stock can grow 10 to 15% per year if commodity prices remain strong so he continues to buy.

(A Top Pick Oct 18/21, Up 69%) This is a high growth, high innovation, high quality solar equipment manufacturing company. Its software can convert DC to AC in homes. Had to trim some since the price rose so much it resulted in a heavy weighting within the portfolio. He still really likes it and would buy some back on dips.

It is a larger weight holding in their health care fund. It is well diversified and does fine during market downturns. One of his favourite blue chips in the S&P 500.

A long term hold with regular cash flow along with slow growth. He prefers AES Corporation since it has more growth especially with the renewables.

It is now very cheap but the headwinds are that they have spent billions on the metaverse. Can they execute on this investment. Investors are concerned over the slowing down of the advertising component. He is not sure whether it is a value trap or an opportunity.

It has too much debt and is struggling with EBITA. It is moving to electric buses but has to prove it has the financial resources to build them.. Bombardier is a good alternative. Even though it also has high debt it is paying it down with lots of free cash flow.

The question was on the future of gas stations with the increasing number of EV's. He owns some Alimentation Couche-Tard. He also owns and prefers Parkland Fuels. They bought M&M's Meat Shops and are trying to make the gas station a destination where people can go to pick up food items etc. The changes coming to gas stations will not happen overnight and as EV stations, people will have to pay to charge their cars.

The question was on the future of gas stations with the increasing number of EV's. He owns some Alimentation Couche-Tard. He also owns and prefers Parkland Fuels. They bought M&M's Meat Shops and are trying to make the gas station a destination where people can go to pick up food items etc. The changes coming to gas stations will not happen overnight and as EV stations, people will have to pay to charge their cars.

The question was on banks. Recent reports from Canadian banks were mixed but they are good blue chip stocks. Royal Bank has room to go higher next year. The Bank of Nova Scotia has better growth due to their exposure to emerging and Latin American markets which should have a better outlook for the second half of 2023.