COMMENT
Market Outlook The Chinese trade situation is multifaceted. You have worries of spying in Canada and he wonders why our government is so uncertain how to proceed. You have to go back to the 1930s when we saw this type of trade wars.
HOLD
A French multi-national pharma that he owns. They get research going and buy smaller companies. They only need one or two promising drugs to make out well. A good long term hold.
HOLD
A successful drug company that has made many acquisitions that have led to good value and promising drugs. Healthcare stocks are under pressure in general as the Trump Administration is threatening to bring down drug costs. He thinks this will end and you will make good money holding.
DON'T BUY
The expectation was that the parent company would take what was left over after the sale of Trans Mountain. That has not yet happened, so the stock has dropped in value and returned capital back to investors. There has been no discussion on future plans, so there is nothing to get excited about here. No reason to own it.
HOLD
Dividend safe? He bought this when it was under temporary trouble last year. It was involved in front running customers and other issues and still do face sanctions. It sells at a discount to other US banks. The dividend is safe, he thinks. Not much downside here.
HOLD
Historically the time to buy auto stocks is when things look bleak for the industry. This is a top quality company in the space. The auto cycle has been softening and this is causing auto parts stocks to sell off. He would not sell out of any holding at this time.
HOLD
China impact? An unusual company that it is a multi-national demand consumer product manufacture. It is not a value stock. He holds it personally, but not for clients. It did sell off when tensions over China began, which caused them to delay a Chinese store opening. Long term this will be a great company to own. In the short term, you also have to consider this as a luxury item and the global economy appears to be slowing.
DON'T BUY
He did own, but as the trial date with Apple approached, they decided to exit when they thought the risk became more to the downside. Now the FCC is after them for some of their business practices, so they are staying away. Too volatile for him.
HOLD
The old Cara operations. It has made some excellent acquisitions, including TheKeg restaurant chain. The problem is they hold a lot of assets in Alberta. The latest quarter was also impacted by the cold winter this year. He will continue to hold.
HOLD
He is an owner, but sitting on the fence. It is a commodity stock. He ideally is a buyer when the commodity price is rising. But with trade issues happening and delays in planting, things are stalling. He will continue to hold -- for now. Any commodity stock is not a long term hold, they follow cycles.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 29/18, Down 40%) They make electronic products for other manufacturers, like Cisco. There has been a lot of new product spending delays in the space and this is hurting them. The valuation is great and the company continues to buy back their own shares.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 29/18, Up 26%) They grow by acquisition. The CEO is a little off-putting, but he is brilliant and does a great job identifying targets.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 29/18, Down 5%) A east coast regional bank in the US. It has proposed a major merger, the biggest since the financial crisis. A high quality management team with high quality assets. He continues to prefer holding US financial assets versus Canadian.
SHORT
He does not normally short stocks -- but this is one he would short. It trades at a ridiculous multiple. Musk is crazy. There is growing competition in the space. It will take a lot longer for electric vehicles to become mainstream. They are too dependent on the slowing Chinese economy. Their bonds trade only 85 cents on the dollar. Long term this company may not survive. He would not go near it.
DON'T BUY
The space reflects the health of the US economy. It is not a good sign when this stock is not doing well. Amazon is taking more away, but getting into delivery directly. (Analysts’ price target is $208.00)