PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Aug 14/23, Up 30%)The total return was not shown correctly on the screen and the host said that it was up more than 30% but didn't say specifically how much over.

There was some overhang a year ago because of some office real estate holdings. However Brookfield's office holdings have quality tenants who are not leaving. It has great assets and has diversified into renewables and infrastructure.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Aug 14/23, Down 4%)

Regarding the money laundering scandal TD has booked $450 million in fines but most think there is more to come. The bigger picture is the growth in Canada by targeting immigrants with new products. It is at a good entry point.

Unspecified

It is a niche bank that specializes in Alt A lending. It lends a lot to the real estate industry, both personal and commercial, with mortgages on multi-family residential. It is also has an online component. He likes the bigger banks but the smaller ones could grow more.

Unspecified

It has been in the headlines a lot and deliveries have been an issue for both Boeing and Airbus. It is hugely capital intensive and this is not their way to play aerospace. He prefers RTX, formerly Raytheon, which makes parts. More are needed for older airplanes since deliveries of new ones are a challenge these days.

Unspecified

Although the idea of the business is a great one, regulation is an overhang. It has also been accused of taking residential housing away from people who live locally.

BUY

It is one of their two core pipeline holdings. The other is Pembina. Pipelines in Canada are basically an oligarchy. Increased immigration should increase its business in Ontario. It has exposure to commodity prices but without the big swings of producers.

COMMENT

This is another example of an oligarchy. He holds CN and not CP because its price is elevated compared to CN. There are some issues lately with labour for both railways. However railways are a good long term holding since we need them to move products across North America and they are cheaper than trucking.

WAIT

The flight simulator business is an attractive one and CAE has a competitive advantage in that space. However with delivering planes being a challenge recently, there are not as many pilots needed.

Unspecified

It spiked after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine but has fallen back. More fertilizer supply coming on is a concern. Also the economics at the farm level are somewhat challenged and Nutrien has retail outlets that sell to them. He does not see a catalyst for the stock at this point.

Unspecified

It has been the beneficiary of the AI boom and he is not active in that space which is cyclical with high multiples. Also the big techs ate starting to produce their own chips.

COMMENT

The wireline business is more difficult to build out and AT&T has a big presence in that area in the U.S He prefers Canada over the U.S. which is more competitive. He prefers BCE which already has a large wireline footprint and can bundle it with wireless. BCE raised its dividend by 3% a while ago and he has concerns over the payout ratio being more than 100%. However he thinks the dividend is sustainable.

TOP PICK

He added at $250 a month ago. With inflation the lower income population shifted more to eating at home and away from fast food restaurants. McDonalds is now moving to more value priced deals and encouraging people to shift to digital offerings, apps, to increase the use of a loyalty program. McDonalds has a unique business model in that it owns the land that the franchises sit on. 40% of its revenue comes from rent from the franchises.       Buy 28  Hold 13  Sell 0

(Analysts’ price target is $295.39)
TOP PICK

The parks business didn't live up to expectations with the lower income consumer in the U.S. not visiting as much as in the past. However the streaming business turned profitable in the last quarter. The CEO is shifting to quality over quantity in the streaming business. Hopefully there will be fewer hurdles going forward.         Buy 33  Hold 10  Sell 1

(Analysts’ price target is $110.18)
TOP PICK

It is in their income portfolio. Data Centre future projects are up 15% a year and it has been successful at raising capital over the long term. The infrastructure business is a big growth area for them and lower interest rates are good for accelerating this type of project. The long term target ROC is 12 to 15% but lately it has been exceeding that with a 15 to 18% ROC. Pays a 5.5% dividend.         Buy 10  Hold 2  Sell 0

(Analysts’ price target is $38.08)
BUY

The best fast-food restaurant. They were honest and smart enough to admit they raised their menu prices too high in California.