Rating Card

premiumPremium content

Unlock Expert's Rating and Top Picks Portfolio

Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert)


Stock Opinions by Jason Del Vicario

Most recent Opinions go here

Be up to date, don't miss your chance.

COMMENT

The US-Canada trade war doesn't change his positioning. He's long term, 5-20 years, so he accepts all manner of macro events. So, he finds businesses that withstand all macro backdrops. The investing greats generally hold a concentrated portfolio and hold them through ups and down. The average holding period for a stock was 5 years in the 1970s, and today it's 10 months. So, it's a competitive edge to hold long. His two main criteria for a stock: the executives and board must be strongly aligned with minority shareholders (meaning they own a big stake in the business); and boast over 20% return on invested capital, which often have moats or other competitive edges.

BUY
As yields rise

He doesn't think that way--rising yields, so buy an insurance company. He just bought KNSL, which is founder-run and -owned. They have a strong track record. Have been buying back shares. For any insurer, look for the combined ratio (underwriting profit + operating expenses), which is 75% for KNSL, which means they're making money.

BUY

Prem Watsa has done a fine job compounding wealth over a long period.

DON'T BUY

Their return on capital over the years is in the mid-teens. Valuation matters. Banks don't meet his criteria. The returns aren't as consistently high as he likes. The primary wealth-building tool of the banks are the executive salaries and bonuses, not the appreciation of shares. RY is the leader in Canada. 

BUY

He remains patient and is above water. Is founder-run and -owned. They now carry debt after buying back 15-20% of shares. Good that they built their own data centre. Has seen good returns.

WATCH

Is watching it. It's in a business that looks more interesting now. They historical don't have a great return on invested capital; returns are inconsistent. He needs to dig deeper on it, and current weakness could allow a half-position.

DON'T BUY

He sold it a while ago, because the cash return on capital was poor. Copart is better with a better valuation.  

DON'T BUY
Avoid a taxable capital gain if they merge with Anglo American?

He doesn't own resource stocks, because they lack a consistent return on capital and they carry a lot of debt. Also, resource stocks rely on commodity prices which are beyond their control. Doesn't know about the tax situation in this merger.

DON'T BUY

The executives and board own few shares, which is a negative in his book. Warren Buffett once owned this and was disappointed. Google and Meta are better for large tech.

DON'T BUY

Their valuation is always too high, now 100x PE. They've had a positive return on capital for 3-4 years in a row, but is not high or consistent. He would consider SHOP if shares fell 75% and the PE was 25x.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Dec 23/25, Down 4%)

It was a past winner in diabetes treatment, but has lot some edge in the obesity space. They are losing market share to LLY. Only 5% of obese people use GLP-1 drugs, so the pie will grow much larger but more competitors will appear. He likes that there's some insider buying, through the foundation, but it's indirect ownership. The PE is only 11x PE and pays a 4% dividend. The downside is limited, but the upside is big.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Dec 23/25, Down 7%)

It's his second-largest holding. The valuation is now more reasonable. There are fears that AI will replace it, but he doesn't see evidence of that yet. CSU owns 1,500 businesses that use AI. He last trimmed it in July 2024. Buy below $3,500 for the long term. Companies can use AI to drive value for their customers.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Dec 23/25, Up 33%)

They have no debt. Is founder-owned and -run. Shares are fairly valued at 20x PE with a 4% dividend. They're off their recent highs. His position has ballooned, so he has trimmed. Now, is a good time to enter.

BUY

Is -10% from all-time highs, but over 40 years, they compounded shareholder wealth under 20% as is their return on equity. He owns a large position. Doesn't know why shares are down. Great long-term prospects.

DON'T BUY

There are many years of negative return on capital. Doesn't see a turnaround.

Showing 1 to 15 of 839 entries