TOP PICK

(Changing to Maxar Technologies (MAXR-T).) Just finished the DigitalGlobe acquisition which was a perfect fit. Satellites is a growth market, but is sort of lumpy. DigitalGlobe adds the software that interprets all the data. Plus, the acquisition brings in US presence giving better access to US intelligence and US military and US sales. This is trading at a big discount to all the aerospace firms.

TOP PICK

After the last quarter, this came under a little pressure. The stock has a great, long term growth story. A lot of software companies have got a hard time migrating from the old “sell a license” to Cloud-based businesses where they have recurring revenue. This company has done it. Dividend yield of 1.6%. (Analysts’ price target is $40.)

N/A

Market.From a techno analysis perspective, it looks like the Canadian market is doing a rotation from growth stocks towards value, which places us in the camps of both banks and energy, which combined are over half the weight of the TSX. It looks like it is time to shine for the TSX for the next 3-6 months.

COMMENT

He is very positive on its outlook. The key is the recurring revenue opportunities, particularly in China, where he sees a huge explosion in the number of planes that will be fitted with their system. They are currently installed as an option on the Airbus airframe. Now doing tests with Boeing (BA-N) which could be significant. By 2020, all planes must have the ability to be tracked, and this company’s advantage is that they have a link that goes out to a satellite allowing them to be found very quickly. Also, their equipment can save money on fuel, scheduling maintenance, etc.

COMMENT

This has “push to talk” radios. Motorola has a huge installed base of “push to talk”, and the industry is moving away from the 2G network. A lot of carriers are forcing people off the 2G network, because they want to use the frequency for more profitable things, and are moving towards 3G and 4G networks. This company has a solution. In addition, they have new software and other applications that will give them an opportunity for recurring revenue. It has done extremely well, and there is a pretty good runway over the next 2-3 years as they do the conversion for the existing Motorola system.

COMMENT

Ranks in the top 10% of his quant model. Year-over-year earnings gain of 62% plus 43% sales growth. The outlook is positive. Earnings are expected to grow 15% in the coming year. There is a great opportunity for them to be able to continue to grow for the next 2-3 years.

DON'T BUY

Ranks 267 out of 700 stocks, so is roughly in the top 3rd. Not cheap, with EV to EBITDA at 17.5X trailing. That is against a fairly modest 5% year-over-year EBITDA growth. A fairly stable business. Earnings estimates are expected to grow from $.67 to $.87 in 2017. He would look at other opportunities for both growth and income.

COMMENT

Their specialty is smaller 30-foot buses instead of a typical 40-foot bus. Has a smaller turning circle and is less expensive. They are creative in getting lower costs in manufacturing. Bought a frame from China, but ended up adding a bunch of US parts to get a “Made in USA” certification. Earnings are expected to almost triple from $.05 in 2017 to $.15 in 2018, relatively expensive, compared to the stock price. Analysts are predicting $.24 for 2019, giving a more reasonable 10X PE multiple. Thinks there is very good growth for them as well as their competitor, New Flyer (NFI-T).

DON'T BUY

Ranks 578 out of 700, so is roughly in the bottom 3rd of the database. A recent report suggested headwinds for them. Earnings were down 82%. Earnings are expected to grow by 57%, but there seems to be some scepticism. You are better off looking at other opportunities.

COMMENT

Designed for merchants to end up getting payments through the web, and have been very successful at doing that. Sales have grown significantly. In 2016, they lost $.17, and the 2017 forecast is looking for a loss of $.09. In 2018 they go positive at $.21, but compared to a stock price of roughly $126, that is a pretty big multiple. Thinks that is what the big debate is about.

COMMENT

This takes water, and through electrolysis creates hydrogen, which they inject into the intake system, typically of diesel engines. They are attempting to get a reduction of both fuel consumption and emissions. Working on a new version and doing some testing on small engines that are used on the refrigerated portions of a truck. Their first preliminary result was a 20% reduction in fuel consumption, which is significant. Also had significant reduction in emissions. Expects to be in commercial production by the end of the year. If they can achieve a fuel consumption savings of 20%, and particularly the emissions reduction, it will be quite significant.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Feb 21/17. Up 6.89%.) Recently sold this.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Feb 21/17. Up 17.43%.) This ranks in the top 5% of his database. There is still great opportunity for them going forward.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Feb 21/17. Up 24.57%.) Thinks there is still great opportunity in this.

COMMENT

About 7-10 years ago, they put an aluminum rod through extremely high temperature plasma torches, and produced extremely precise balls of titanium. Titanium is used on top of stainless steel for artificial hips and knees as bone doesn’t easily latch onto stainless steel. They’ve now built their first machine and are going into commercial production. There is also a potential shift to using titanium in 3-D printing. The company is still waiting for some contracts.