DON'T BUY
Was the best bank over the last couple of years and became over extended and now taking a rest, both on an absolute basis and relative basis compared to some of the other banks. If buying a bank, the National Bank (NA-T) would be his choice.
BUY
If buying a bank today, this one would be his choice. The most interesting. A little bit of Quebec factor has come back into it which in the short run is unwarranted. Has the best opportunity to increase margins and its dividends.
BUY
Favourite insurance company. Has the best management. Likes their international exposure, especially the far east.
WEAK BUY
The premier company in the mutual fund sector. With markets going sideways, the flow into mutual funds may not be as robust. May convert into a trust.
DON'T BUY
Liquor stroes are an ideal business for an income trust, because they are stable, growing and a good margin business. This one had a big run and probably got over valued which is probably the reason for the near term weakness.
DON'T BUY
P/E of 3.9 and a yield of 5.5%. Very well run. Earnings record has been very good. A cyclical company in a cyclical business and steel stocks have been under pressure lately. Steel pricing has been coming down due to overcapacity around the world.
DON'T BUY
Wouldn't consider owning this until the stock stops going down and starts to go up. Paper grades that they are in have being doing poorly. Hurt by the US$. Quebec government is looking for less wood to be cut down.
BUY
One of the best run major energy companies in Canada. If you want energy exposure, especially in gas, this should be in your portfolio.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Mar 31/05. Up 3%.) Likes their international diversification. Good balance between oil and gas. Undervalued compared to other senior oil companies. Prospects are good. Has been some takeover speculation.
BUY
Big in the polyethelene and polystyrene markets. Also have some specialty chemicals (high performance chemicals). Like all chemical companies they had a great run until March and then fell off. Longer term outlook is good. Cyclical.
DON'T BUY
Not a fan. Has had a lots of warning signals. Very bad corporate governance. Lost their major product, Weight Watchers.
DON'T BUY
Can't really come up with a good reason to own this stock. The future is still uncertain. The competitive environment is quite fierce.
BUY
Sold off after oil had a big run and sold off. A fine way of being in the energy sector.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Mar 31/05. Up a shade.) Has been treading water with the US market. A great way to play the world economy. Margins are improving. Continuing to buy the stock at this price.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Mar 31/05. Down 6%.) Largest electrical utility company in Italy. In Italy electricity is based on the price of oil and this company uses other cheaper sources such as hydro and coal. Selling off non-core assets and tend to pay the money out to shareholders.