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COMMENT
TSX record highs.

Yes, and also the All-World index. It's really just the S&P, NASDAQ and Russell that are lagging; probably because they outperformed for 10-15+ years. There are good buys out there, and people are feeling good. 

COMMENT
Tariffs.

Impact from tariffs seems to be limited for now. Q1 earnings were pretty decent. Those companies that said tariffs were going to be bad, were bad. The NA economy is service-based, and the impact of tariffs is not material. Headlines about Trump and Xi speaking on Friday. Market's feeling as though the worst of the tariff threats are over -- all the bad news has been delivered, and maybe some good news will come out.

May start to see interest rate cuts in both Canada and the US as we head into the end of the year. Hopefully, inflation will start to come down to a more normalized level. Corporate earnings are strong. Summer is starting in Toronto :)  Things feel good.

The market always climbs that wall of worry. It overreacted insanely in April, so dumb, and that was the opportunity. Now markets have gone back to a level similar to where they were in January.

COMMENT
No interest rate cuts until "clarity" on how tariffs are working through the economy.

Haven't seen this yet. Both BOC and the Fed have to see either all tariffs removed or consensus on a certain percentage. We haven't seen impact of tariffs on inflation numbers yet. 

But there are all these offsets. Seeing declines in rental costs, commodities, gas prices, other products. Economics are very hard to figure out. If there's a price rise in one asset class, there could be a decrease in something else as people switch their demand.

He's not too concerned about tariffs. Biggest worry is what Trump is going to say tomorrow. The companies he owns are adapting. We should expect a pretty good year for corporate earnings. 

Believes BOC will not cut tomorrow, but hold steady. They'll probably want to wait to see when the US starts cutting again. Keep in mind, BOC cut 7 times already. One worry is that the CAD has been really strong against the USD. BOC will also want to see how the employment situation plays out over the next few months.

As inflation numbers come out over the rest of the year, thinks the Fed and BOC will both cut 2-3 times.

WEAK BUY

Sold late last year, due to worries partly on tariffs and partly on management's ability to create value. Didn't like that it was buying back stock using debt, or yo-yo projections (up) versus guidance (down). Heavy capex business. Growth hasn't been there with pandemic, tariffs, inflation.

Probably some good value here. If you have a long-term investment horizon, not the worst idea to have a 1-2% position in the Canadian rails and just leave it alone. Doesn't have a strong conviction either way right now on CNR vs. CP.

WEAK BUY

Probably some good value here. If you have a long-term investment horizon, not the worst idea to have a 1-2% position in the Canadian rails and just leave it alone. Better run than CNR, with more attractive growth upside. Doesn't have a strong conviction either way right now on CNR versus CP.

HOLD

Super bullish on AI, it's just getting started. We're going to run out of power before we run out of demand for AI. Need energy, cooling, construction, labour, chips, racks. Hard to tell what future's going to bring. Demand for data centres will be a bumpy story as the economy ebbs and flows.

Nuclear is exciting, but unsure how quickly you're going to make money. CCO is a great business with great operations. Good for those who bought the dip in April. He'd prefer nat gas via TOU.

BUY

Natural gas play, and a more stable way to provide energy for data centres.

COMMENT

With interest rates not coming down as fast as expected, and with volatility in the market, there are concerns about its deal-making ability. Expects to see a lot of liquid products over the next 1-2 years from this name and its peers. Headwinds from tariffs and regulations, but those are dissipating at the moment.
 
Doesn't really have an opinion on KKR. The love of his life is BN, and they've owned it for quite a long time. Likes that it collects giant fees from diversified assets. His preferred play on alternative assets.

BUY

The love of his life, which they've owned for quite a long time. Likes that it collects giant fees from diversified assets. His preferred play on alternative assets. Headwinds from tariffs and regulations, but those are dissipating at the moment. 

Terrific track record long term, despite this year being tough. Compounded shareholder return of 18% over last 30 years. Growth will come from selling new products to retail investors in insurance, real estate, private equity. Volatile markets will work in its favour.

BUY

Aerospace parts. Serial acquirer. A hard business to break into, especially as you have to trust the partners that are making parts for you. Valuations in the space have gone straight up, as demand for air travel is exploding. Extremely bullish on the name. Likes management's ability to raise prices, keep costs low, and allocate cashflow at high rates of return.

BUY
Seven & I negotiations.

At least they're talking now, trying to figure out how they can get regulator approval (the biggest concern). Success would give ATD 80k more stores, a near-monopoly in the US, so some would have to be sold. That's a distraction. Wrestling with a low-income consumer who's having troubles with inflation and trading down, which hurts the bottom line.

For him, it's a "heads you win, tails you win" situation. If successful, ATD can improve operations and pay back acquisition debt quickly. If not, they'll do other deals and buy back a ton of stock. An absolute bargain. Once we get through the issues with the US and NA consumer, this will return to compounding greatness as before.

SELL

Well run for a while, but lost its way. Offer on the table isn't the greatest, as it will be a taxable event. Stock's picked up lately. Doesn't believe there will be a competing offer because it's such a mixed-up company. Appeals only to Sunoco. Tender and move on. Look at ATD instead.

DON'T BUY

Long-term chart demonstrates the excellent business and operations. We all need to eat. Focus going forward will be autonomous farming vehicles -- it will sell software to farmers as well as equipment. Valuation will ebb and flow with food and commodity prices, as well as the economy. He stays away from commodity-type businesses.

DON'T BUY

Trading at extremely high valuation. Cult stock. Can't really value it on today's earnings. Have to hope the battery technology takes off and that robotaxis becomes a huge thing. Lots of irons in the fire. If you believe the Musk-hype, this is a must-own.

For the rest of us, who can't cope with the valuation, very hard to buy. Sometimes the growth comes and it works out, and then you wonder why you didn't pay 800x PE ;)

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jun 07/24, Up 16%)

Still loves it. Highly necessary products. Licensing fees go up every year. Next leg up for growth would be benchmarks for private equity, and they're working on it. Strength of international markets this year should give them an excellent year.

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