Latest Top Picks

Stock Opinions by Michael Brown

DON'T BUY
Bank of America
Fallen below its $4 support. Too many unknowns with the Merrill Lynch acquisition. Any of the Canadian banks, especially Royal Bank (RY-T) or Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS-T), would be better investment choices if you want to be in financials.
banks
SELL
Sunopta Inc.
There was a lot of uncertainty in terms of the ethanol business and had really stretched the on their core mandate. Consider switching into a larger cap names such as General Mills (GIS-N) that still has significant organic presence but offers a dividend yield, free cash flow and more secure balance sheet.
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
BUY
General Mills
Significant organic presence. Dividend yield, free cash flow and secure balance sheet.
food processing
COMMENT
With the new US administration and the new greening of Canada, there is a lot of growth in the wind industry. Coming off a small base so the growth prospects are good for the next few years. In the current market environment, you can invest in much more established companies with secure prospects as opposed to this one. Very speculative.
oil / gas
BUY ON WEAKNESS
Visa Inc.
The unique concept of this company is that it is not actually exposed to the credit card debt but only on the payment transaction. Has had a significant run year-to-date but would recommend buying closer to $50.
other services
DON'T BUY
Have recently been selling energy assets off to France. Has a troubled balance sheet and has cut its dividend once. There are better places to put your money.
electrical utilities
COMMENT
Nexen Inc
Quite favourable on their sustainability activities. Have participated in reporting on their carbon emissions and taking steps to reduce it.
oil / gas
DON'T BUY
Canadian Oil Sands
Would look at Suncor (SU-T) in terms of being the leader in environmental reporting and practices. This one is on his disqualified list.
oil / gas
BUY
Suncor Energy Inc
A leader in environmental reporting and practices. They do land reclamation and building wind farms to help offset emissions in their operations. Also looking at carbon capture and sequestration.
integrated oils
DON'T BUY
On his disqualified list. Would look at Suncor (SU-T) in terms of being the leader in environmental reporting and practices.
oil / gas
COMMENT
PotashCorp
Had changed their practices on his company's recommendations so they now qualify for his fund.
integrated mines
COMMENT
Kinross Gold
Leader in the gold industry in terms of progressive practices. Also has one of the better growth profiles in terms of gold companies. Driver behind gold is either a hedge against inflation or against chaos. Currently there is a lot of chaos, which explains the rally in gold.
precious metals
TOP PICK
Has grown about 30% in the last 10 years and is projected at 20% a year going forward. Trading at 10X with a 4% yield. One of the largest companies in China so many flowing in will tend to go here.
Telecommunications
TOP PICK
Ecolab Inc.
A leader in industrial cleaning products for hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants, etc. Has had a steady record of recession resistant earnings growth. Strong balance sheet and good free cash flow generation. Currently trading close to its November lows, the lowest multiple in the last 10 years.
contractors
TOP PICK
Iberdrola
Madrid exchange. Largest producer of renewable power (wind) globally. The #1 player in Spain and the UK and #2 in the US. From 2007 to 2008 they increased wind production by 71%. The conservative target going forward is 30% a year.
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