N/A
Elections in the US yesterday. You can safely say that legislation will be harder to get through. There will be some element of gridlock in US politics. Like Canada’s minority government, things will get done. He is still focused on the emerging market as the significant driver. He has only a reasonable overweight (15%), though. Has a lot of companies that are exposed to emerging markets. Is bottom up and looks at companies, not countries, but ends up being 35% US and increasing. There are great opportunities in the US stock market. A Year and a half ago he got permission to currency hedge but is not doing it right now. Canadian dollar will struggle to stay above parity.
WAIT
This has not been a stock you want to be in this year. He has been significantly underweight financials, especially US. He has recently added to that, however. Well Capitalized and earnings are growing. You are starting to get write backs (bad loans that come back). Still have foreclosure mess to deal with but until dealt with you wont see great performance, but in 12-24 months you will.
HOLD
Has not followed this name that closely, but still has a little concern for insurance and banking industry in Europe. Doesn’t know if they have completely recognized the pain and suffering. He would add US Brokerage, then US banks and then third would be European financial services. ING is right up there in terms of European financial services.
WEAK BUY
Has a very strong position and he wishes he owned it. He was a little nervous about the multiple. When Google pulled out of China there was another opportunity to buy it but he thought it was too highly priced. They are in a very strong position in China. Now that Google is not a competitor, they are in a good position. Very optimistic outlook for the Internet industry. The business will do well, even if not the stock.
COMMENT
Gold: If you look at what it has done, it definitely has momentum but it is hard to analyze it fundamentally. With the rest of the world devaluing, there is only one place to store your wealth. Gold is the answer. If you believe this is going to continue, then gold is likely to rise. He uses Gold as a hedge.
COMMENT
Not a big integrated oil guy. Prefers companies that are a little more targeted. They have upstream all the way to downstream, refining, gas stations, etc. 5.7% dividend is great for dividend player.
TOP PICK
(Denmark exchange) Biggest wind turbine manufacturer in the world. They were pummeled. They revised down their earnings significantly, recently. Biggest concern is subsidies. Coal is the cheapest. The world is not awash with money to finance this. Subsidies are being scaled back. GE is a competitor, but competition is getting less. GE’s product is considered less optimal compared to VWS’s. They have a year’s advantage over Siemans and GE. He is optimistic about the future.
TOP PICK
There is a lot of negative sentiment right now: The talk about regulating interchange rates, talk about exclusivity with merchants being removed. But the prospects for Visa have not changed. They are growing their earnings about 15-20% per annum. 17-18 multiple, which is very, very strong. Good global footprint. They are dominant.
TOP PICK
(Philippines exchange)Biggest mining and materials producer in the Philippines. Gold and copper producer. Low cost producer. Projects being developed right now to come on line soon.
PAST TOP PICK
(Top Pick Dec 17/09, Up 0.12%) Still holds, still likes and would buy at these prices.
PAST TOP PICK
(Top Pick Dec 17/09, Up 11.62%) Still holds, still likes and would buy at these prices.
PAST TOP PICK
(Top Pick Dec 17/09, Up 16.91%) Still holds, still likes and would buy at these prices.
N/A
Federal reserve in the US announced another round of QE. It seems the news was already priced in to the market. Has seen more volatility on just interest rate days. And there was the election, which could be a catalyst for the market but it could move the markets 10% in either direction in the next month starting about now. Thinks QE is a waste of time. Any company that is profitable or has a prospect of being profitable is a value investment. Stocks are pretty fairly valued.
COMMENT
Gov’t blocking take-over attempt – looks like a negative for the shareholders. How valuable is the property to the company if the gov’t is going to step in and change the rules. It sends a negative signal to companies trying to buy up Canada’s natural resources.
WEAK BUY
He owns Nokia, which is similar in that it is a phone company, but Apple gets a much higher valuation than both and he didn’t need another name like Nokia. RIM is cheaper on a PE basis. Lack of diversification represents a risk in 10 years. Otherwise he would say this was a good investment.