BUY
Gold sector had a pretty rough 6 months in the first of the year, but this stock continued to be very firm during that weakness. Fairly diversified. Very attractive assets.
DON'T BUY
The risk in any growth company, and certainly when it turns into a momentum play like this one did, is that you start to see slowing in the growth rate. They are starting to see competition from some of the search companies. Margins are shrinking.
WEAK BUY
Has been firming up recently. Home builders continue to perform really well. There seems to be a fair bit of real investment dollars flowing towards the larger cap growth oriented companies. If you own, keep an eye on housing stocks such as KB Home (KBH-N) D R Horton (DHI-N), etc.
BUY
A great business model. Very low cost capital investment. Will be a very strong cash flow generating. Doesn't fit their ethical criteria.
DON'T BUY
The risk is that there are some political winds blowing, talking about some of the problems that gamers are creating for some of the people that patronize their establishment.
DON'T BUY
Canadian banks are performing much better than US banks, partially due to better dividend yields. Feels there are better places to be than in banks. He holds some, but only for their consitancy.
BUY
Had as a toe-hold in the pharmaceutical group that has been out of favour for 3 years, but with only medium success. Facing competition from the generics. Has a great portfolio of drugs and has pretty steady growth.
BUY
Potash is a big strength in our market. Lots of demand from overseas buyers. Should continue to do very well.
SELL
Its best days were probably in the past. If a company's share price doesn't participate in a market rally, you should be looking elsewhere. Growth stocks are starting to perform a little bit better, but this stock is not.
BUY
Has done a very good job in putting this business together and it looks like they want to continue to grow. Feels the asset management business is a good one to be in over the next few years. From a sector standpoint, a lot of the companies in this group are performing well. A cash flow business.
PAST TOP PICK
( A Top Pick May 3/05.) Fully invested now. His model turned positive in May.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 3/05. Up 6%.) Still likes. The risk on this one is their ability to replace the barrels of oil that they are producing and selling. They'll have to get more efficient at finding oil. They have a huge land position. A very large liquid trust. Won't be a rocket, but will be a steady cash producer.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 3/05. Up 4%.) An attempt to build some exposure in the Japanese market which is coming off a 16/17 year low. This company was able to grow through that period. In the short term there are a couple of real positives. They are going into a new model year for the Accord and the Civic. Some of the promotional expenses will come off. Have good exposure into the Chinese market.
BUY
Insurance companies are somewhat interest sensitive, but long term interst rates seem to be stable which is helping them. Prefers insurance companies to banks right now. Good international growth.
DON'T BUY
As a rule, he doesn't buy turn arounds. Prefers looking for the strongest company in the industry, not the weakest.