COMMENT
Selling banks?

Not too much. They're generally underweight banks, which has been beneficial this week. He's more looking for opportunities in the sector, such as BX and BN. See his Top Picks.

COMMENT
Growth stocks.

As a firm, they do equity income. Broadly speaking, they have an income mandate. Within that, there are pockets of sustainable-focused strategies such as clean tech, which don't provide a dividend. 

COMMENT
Rising rates has put pressure on income-producing equities?

Yes. The broader theme is rates volatility, which has been so high. Markets across the world in real estate, infrastructure, and private debt have been locked. Large bid/ask spreads means that people are having a hard time  reaching agreement on pricing. We know that inflation is still uncomfortably high, but this week has perhaps made it more difficult for the Fed. When rates volatility comes down, people can then get a better idea on the pricing of different assets, and this should help broader markets. We were starting to see that in US real estate. People were coming back into the market as rates went down.

HOLD

Still loves it, tremendously expensive. Tough to buy with new money. If you own it, hold, and look for a better place to add. Diversified. The hike cycle scares him a bit. One of the purest plays on AI. He'll be watching how consumers in uncertain economic times take to the new, expensive 40 series.

BUY
LNG for the long run.

Largest natural gas producer in Canada. One of the top 5 in NA. Selling over 20% of production outside Canada. 

HOLD

Core holding. Growth outlook muddier due to potential competition from Trans Mountain. As a safe exposure to energy with a high dividend yield, keep holding. Won't get hurt too badly over time. Yield over 7%. 

HOLD

Still likes it. A market that operates completely differently than everything else. Even when the price goes up, there's still high demand, as customers are insulated from ups and downs of economy. Perceived scarcity is prestige. The best luxury company in the world. Diversified. Great long-term hold.

BUY
ABBV vs. PFE

Prefers ABBV. Main overhang to PFE is what happens to the vaccine franchise now that we're on the other side of Covid? PFE will need other engines, it's a show-me story. ABBV is a leader in immunology. Humira is coming off patent, which will compress earnings, but that's well-known by the market. Its pipeline will fill the gap, plus Botox business.

DON'T BUY
PFE vs. ABBV

Prefers ABBV. Main overhang to PFE is what happens to the vaccine franchise now that we're on the other side of Covid? PFE will need other engines, it's a show-me story. ABBV is a leader in immunology. Humira is coming off patent, which will compress earnings, but that's well-known by the market. Its pipeline will fill the gap, plus Botox business.

WATCH
GM vs. TSLA vs. TM

Depends on your risk tolerance. He's been looking at GM recently, but hasn't taken any action. Really good recent quarter, will be pressure on financing side of the business. Targets are pretty optimistic. Toyota is a safer bet for the next year or so; it's a giant company with improving profits, uncertainty on EV strategy is not a short-term game-changer. TSLA is his favourite EV play in the auto-making space. TSLA has already won the EV race, especially as to vertical integration.

BUY
TM vs. GM vs. TSLA

Depends on your risk tolerance. He's been looking at GM recently, but hasn't taken any action. Really good recent quarter, will be pressure on financing side of the business. Targets are pretty optimistic. TM is a safer bet for the next year or so; it's a giant company with improving profits, uncertainty on EV strategy is not a short-term game-changer. TSLA is his favourite EV play in the auto-making space. TSLA has already won the EV race, especially as to vertical integration.

BUY
TSLA vs. GM vs. TM

Depends on your risk tolerance. He's been looking at GM recently, but hasn't taken any action. Really good recent quarter, will be pressure on financing side of the business. Targets are pretty optimistic. Toyota is a safer bet for the next year or so; it's a giant company with improving profits, uncertainty on EV strategy is not a short-term game-changer. TSLA is his favourite EV play in the auto-making space. TSLA has already won the EV race, especially as to vertical integration.

COMMENT
Hydrogen cars.

The economics aren't there yet for hydrogen. It's going to take a long time, when you consider what's already in the renewable energy space. With energy in general, we need a lot of different sources, so it's good to try a lot of different things and see what works.

WAIT

A good business. Upside angle will come from the resumption of issuance, which has been in the doldrums. This will work as the capital markets recover. 

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 06/22, Down 9%)

Still likes it. Reasonably priced. Some degree of confidence holding this, though high-beta semis have been volatile. Continues to take share from INTC, especially in server processers. Its CPUs will benefit with the AI build out. Great job executing.