COMMENT
Largest coal handling terminal in the west part of the western hemisphere. Asian demand for metallurgical coal is really growing, which has helped them. Really started to run up in late 2010. Converted from an income trust to a stapled (?) unit. No debt. Got too pricey for him so sold his position.
DON'T BUY
Good company but became too overextended as they made acquisitions. Too much debt and the payout ratio is too high. Expect they may have to raise equity in 2011. He owns the bonds.
WATCH
Doesn’t pay a dividend so he doesn’t own but is following it. Also very volatile. Have to come out with new products that resonate with consumers. In the last 6 months it has gravitated from a growth stock to a value stock. Would prefer it at a lower price.
COMMENT
Primarily focused on natural gas. Currently natural gas outlook is not good but inventory figures show it is at the 5-year level. Pricing will probably not get better until late 2012. If you own, consider taking some profit.
HOLD
About 50-50 on oil and natural gas. Currently their capital spending is directed towards oil. Payout ration is about 40%. Expect with current oil prices they’ll be able to sustain the dividend.
BUY ON WEAKNESS
A lot of competition in the telecom space. Price is getting to a point where it is more interesting and would definitely be interested around $32-$33. Raises a lot of free cash flow. Raised their dividend this last quarter.
BUY
Big blue chip utility. Primarily pipeline and power. Pipeline is about 70% of their EBITDA. Analysts think they can grow dividends over the next couple of years as they have growth projects coming on. Bought some power assets in New York state, which some analysts feel will start to perform a bit better. If you have a longer-term outlook, this would be a good one to own. 4% yield.
COMMENT
Primarily coal generated power plants. Stock just dropped and he doesn’t know why.
HOLD
Global assets but the important one to him is the oil sands in Northern Alberta. Sees higher cash flows and dividend increases.
BUY ON WEAKNESS
In agriculture he prefers Agrium (AGU-T), Alliance Grain Traders (AGT-T) and Viterra(VT-T). This one has had a nice run on the back of Potash prices going up. Food shortages in some parts of the world and fertilizer prices are rising.
BUY ON WEAKNESS
Process natural gas and store natural gas liquids such as propane, butane condensate. Good management. Just raised their dividend and he expects future dividend increases.
TOP PICK
Insurance company big in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. About 70% of revenue comes from personal, auto and home. Because of reforms, expects auto insurers in Ontario are not going to have to pay out more in terms of expenses. Good balance sheet. Just raised their dividend by 8%. Have some good catalysts. Could be an acquirer. 3% yield and expects that to grow along with earnings.
TOP PICK
World’s largest retailer. Just gave a 21% dividend increase. Analysts didn’t like the last quarter when their same store sales growth was negative so the stock was punished. Trading at 11.5X 2011 earnings. Likes that they buy back shares and reduce debt. New focus on merchandising. 2.8% yield.
TOP PICK
About 80% of business is supplying linens to hospitals and 20% to hotels. Active in 6 provinces. About 50% payout ratio. Low debt. Have ability to make further acquisitions. 5.5% yield.
DON'T BUY
Loyalty plan. Big concern is that there is a push to allow members to redeem points. Analysts are concerned about large amounts of redemptions on points that are about to expire.