The Panic-Proof Portfolio (Stockchase Research)

We reiterate this global pharma company, as a TOP PICK.  The healthcare sector has been a steady performer with recent market volatility and GSK is a key player in the space.  Recent earnings growth was reported at 7%.  It trades at 11x earnings, 5.6x book and supports a robust 43% ROE.  We continue to recommend a stop at $50, looking to achieve $62 -- upside potential of 18%.  Yield 3.3%

We again reiterate MAL as a TOP PICK.  The company is front and centre on defense projects in Canada, including maintenance for the new Swedish fighter jets and development of light anti-tank weapons for the Canadian Federal government.  Cash reserves are growing while debt is retired and shares bought back.  We continue to recommend a stop at $29, looking to achieve $42 -- upside potential of 18%.  Yield 0.5%  

Following recently reported earnings, we reiterate V as a TOP PICK.  Consumers are spending and at higher rates than analysts expect -- including growth in travel spending despite geopolitical uncertainty.  Cash reserves are growing as shares are aggressively bought back albeit with a slight increase in debt (not an issue as free cash flow is at five year highs).  It trades at 29x earnings and supports an amazing 66% ROE and annual dividend growth has exceeded 15% over the past five years.  We continue to recommend a stop at $325, looking to achieve $430 -- upside potential of 18%.  Yield 0.7%  

Our PAST TOP PICK with ANDG is progressing well.  To remain disciplined, we recommend trailing up the stop (from $34) to $38 at this time.  

We reiterate IHF, with holdings like UnitedHealth and CVS, as a TOP PICK.  Analysts comment healthcare provider stocks are rising due to attractive valuations, improving fundamentals, and defensive appeal amid market volatility. These are often viewed as defensive plays.  We recommend trailing up the stop (from $47 to $52), looking to achieve $68 -- upside potential of 18%.  Yield 0.9%

We reiterate IYT, with holdings like Union Pacific and Uber in the transportation sector, as a TOP PICK.  Analysts at Morgan Stanley see upward revisions in earnings in this sector signaling continued strength in the space.  We recommend trailing up the stop (from $78) to $84, looking to achieve $103 -- upside potential of 18%.  Yield 0.9%

We reiterate IGF, holding 110 utility, pipeline, road and airport management companies worldwide as a TOP PICK.  Infrastructure is less flashy than AI memory chips, say analysts, but it benefits from a multi-decade spending cycle driven by grid modernization, reshoring, and energy transition — trends that don't disappear when sentiment shifts.  We also like that dividend growth has averaged 14% annually over the past five years.  We recommend trailing up the stop (from $60) to $64, looking to achieve $79 -- upside potential of 18%.  Yield 2.8%

HLPR is reiterated as a TOP PICK.  This highly tax efficient ETF is ideal for non-registered accounts as it holds interests in Canadian preferred shares, but accumulates units instead of paying dividends - tax is on a capital gains basis.  It has been a solid and steady performer.  We recommend trailing up the stop (from $34) to $36, looking to achieve $44 - upside potential of 18%.  Yield 0%

We reiterate this low-volatility ETF traded in US dollars as a TOP PICK.  The fund holds the 100 lowest volatility US large cap stocks - meant to be a stabilizer for your portfolio but still hold exposure to US markets.  It will also benefit if the Canadian dollar weakens.  We continue to recommend a stop at $45, looking to achieve $55 - upside potential over 17%.  Yield 1.6%

TGS, a major natural gas and NGL infrastructure operator in Argentina is reiterated as a TOP PICK.  The company is advancing a major $780 million pipeline project that will be accretive to cash flows going forward.  We recommend maintaining the stop at $27, looking to achieve $40 -- upside potential of 28%.  Yield 0.4%

Our PAST TOP PICK with MRK is progressing well.  To remain disciplined, we recommend trailing up the stop (from $110) to $121 at this time.  

MSCI is a world leader in the ETF world and is a TOP PICK.  Recently reported earnings showed a 26% increase in market index fees collected, ETFs under management reached $2.8 trillion, and the analytic division had a 6% increase in fees collected -- all divisions looking good.  Cash reserves are holding steady while the company aggressively buys back shares -- albeit with slightly rising debt (following a major acquisition).  We recommend setting a stop-loss at $435, looking to achieve $713 -- upside potential of 27%.  Yield 1.3%  

MRVL is a play on data center growth.  The company projects over 50% annual growth in this business segment over the next two fiscal years.  "It provides the plumbing for data centers" coined one analyst, and it provides a suite of products in its application.  It currently shows strong cash flows and rising cash reserves.  We recommend setting a stop-loss at $170, looking to achieve $265 -- upside potential of 26%.  Yield 0.1%

A much needed refresh in network technology and security is the reason behind analysts expectations of continued positive growth for CSCO in the next few fiscal years.  The company is prudently using some cash reserves to aggressively buy back shares - albeit with slightly more debt.  It trades at 36x earnings, 9x book and with a 25% ROE -- demonstrating its ability to defend its value in the market place.  We recommend setting a stop-loss at $170, looking to achieve $133 -- upside potential near 18%.  Yield 1.4%

We again reiterate MCY, with 6300 agents in 11 states providing personal and commercial insurance, as a TOP PICK.  Recently they announced they are working along with local agencies to develop fire hazard mitigation using AI in the markets they serve -- getting ahead of the hazards to reduce risk.  It trades at 10x earnings, 2.3x book and supports a robust 38% ROE.  We recommend trailing up the stop (from $98) to $100, looking to achieve $125 -- upside potential of 16%.  Yield 1.1%