Latest Top Picks

Stock Opinions by Alan Kral , CFA, CIC

COMMENT
What we have seen over the last two months is a change in the psychology. We are not seeing stocks fall like dominos. People are building some confidence. Thinks manufacturers’ inventories have bottomed out and production will have to resume.
Unknown
HOLD
Ford Motor
Entire auto industry is a hold until the end of June. Then we will know what shape the companies are in. Need to reset their relationships with their unions. Ford has family ownership.
Automotive
BUY
American Express
Has a great deal of strength. Revenue in transaction business and brokerage.
investment companies / funds
TRADE
Bank of America
Stock is not very far from its low. Thinks there will be a turnaround in this stock.
banks
DON'T BUY
Citigroup Inc.
Always had the problem of putting together all there pieces. Can’t short the common stock. Is a prime candidate for a massive re-organization, possibly breaking it up.
banks
BUY
General Electric
Likes it. Dropped dramatically and there was an over emphasis in what was going on in this company. Thinks it will do well going forward.
electrical / electronic
BUY
A T & T US
Transition from landlines to cell phones will be the driving force going forward. Pretty well positioned going forward.
Telecommunications
TRADE
Freddie Mac
Was a Gov’t agency, had access to treasurer. Maybe some residual value in that company.
Financial Services
DON'T BUY
On it’s way to a liquidation and without any care to the shareholders.
insurance
TOP PICK
Monsanto Company
Agricultural chemicals and seeds are very well placed in the world economy. Will come back well when the economy recovers. Biggest risk would be trade barriers.
agriculture
TOP PICK
Toyota
Short and long term problems in industry will all work out. Not sure that domestic manufacturers will be able to satisfy the demand. Toyota is pretty well positioned. Risk is that it is too big. One of the others could come in and undercut them.
Automotive
TOP PICK
As inventories bottom, there will be a sharp increase in transportation. This is the exclusive carrier out of Mexico. A Canadian railroad may want to buy one of the US ones.
Transportation
DON'T BUY
Political environment for health insurers is going to be very clouded. Insurance companies are going to be the whipping boys for the reforms that are going to come. They are going to be tough.
medical services
COMMENT
Feels that the market is totally in the hands of the US Congress. Feels that the money will be provided to the big three automakers, but there will be conditions, restrictions and performance goals. They need conditions that will let them compete. Feels government caused the problems that they have today and they have to fix it. In favour of the new administration because it will boost confidence in the economy. But there may be problems down the road for Canadians as some of the accords may not be followed. Protectionism is a real risk. Problem is that the banks are not lending, we need to get the economy going.
Unknown
BUY
Walmart Inc
Best defensive stock you can find. One of the 2 stocks up in Dow Jones over the last two years. Positioned to gain market share. Would buy for a defensive portfolio. They have control of the situation. Is considering buying.
department stores
Showing 1 to 15 of 86 entries