PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sep 25/23, Up 52%)

Has owned this for a long time, since it was $5. Are the global leader in this space. Results this year are phenomenal with strong organic growth and increasing profit margins. Are becoming synergistic in their various businesses across US and Europe through cross-selling. Are reaching 19% EBITDA margins from supply chain optimization. Now, it's hitting all-time highs, but is a good long-term investment due to an aging population as people buy stairlifts and elevators. A lot of growth, top and bottom, ahead. Today, the chairman is selling shares, which doesn't scare him, because it doesn't change the fundamentals.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sep 25/23, Up 63%)

It was bought out, an undervalued Canadian tech company as leaders in e-procurement in both Canada and the U.S. This stock was too cheap for too long, then KKR bought it last May. He thought the buying price was way too late.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sep 25/23, Down 37%)

They remain the leader in nuclear valves. Shockingly, the French government blocked an American company from buying this small Montreal company. So, the family decided to sell the company and he expects it will be at a higher price. Their backlog and margins are growing. He still owns it. Trades below tangible book value.

DON'T BUY

The whole sector has been under fire from increased competition. Rogers holds a lot of debt. He owns Quebecor and Telus instead; the latter had tamed their debt and generate a lot of free cash. But Rogers keeps buying stuff over and over; will these media assets pay off? He prefers companies with less debt and more cash flow. The jury is out with BCE about sustaining their dividend (are selling assets to pay down their debt). Quebecor is his top pick in telcos: the only one that's made a good return this year, though Telus is a better long-term pick because of their big cash flow that will let them pull various levers. Don't buy Quebcor or the dividend, but for the growth.

BUY

The whole sector has been under fire from increased competition. Rogers holds a lot of debt. He owns Quebecor and Telus instead; the latter had tamed their debt and generate a lot of free cash. But Rogers keeps buying stuff over and over; will these media assets pay off? He prefers companies with less debt and more cash flow. The jury is out with BCE about sustaining their dividend (are selling assets to pay down their debt). Quebecor is his top pick in telcos: the only one that's made a good return this year, though Telus is a better long-term pick because of their big cash flow that will let them pull various levers. Don't buy Quebcor or the dividend, but for the growth.

RISKY

Wished he bought it a year ago. Have very low margins, but now benefit from supplying equipment to hyperscalers. They hugely depend on one client, though, in their AI-related, data centre business. Can be very volatile. Careful. Take profits if you've made money here. 

BUY

It just announced a strategic review. Are the only public company that turns rare metals into value-added materials like magnets for cars and medical devices. This review will trigger a buyer, he thinks, a positive. Shares are trade well below tangible book value. Little debt and carry a lot of cash. Price of rare metals was depressed but recovering now. He can see them being bought out north of $12-14/share.

BUY

A long-term hold of his. Has done very well for him. A leader in global IT consulting. Are focusing on AI now. Are successful in buying and integrating companies around the world. The stock is no longer expensive. Margins are improving; managed services offer recurring revenues. Decent valuation and growth ahead. They will start paying a dividend.

DON'T BUY

He doesn't own it based on ESG grounds--a large art of their business is selling tobacco. The company is so large that organic sales are flat at the convenience store and gas station level. They must make ever-growing acquisitions to move the needle. It's not obvious they will succeed in buying the massive 7-11 chain; the Japanese government is resisting the deal. ATD growth looks unclear.

BUY

They sold their Vietnam business and original mobile antenna business, volatile, but kept good businesses--satellite communication, embedded antenna and infrastructure. The stock has been rising the past 3 months. It's a prime take-out candidate.

TOP PICK

A global leader in intelligence transportation systems, like weighing trucks on highways. Are gradually becoming a tech company; recently developing AI tools to analyze the ton of data they've collected to help with road safety. Insiders are buying a lot shares and they have strengthened management. Lower-margin contracts are coming off soon. This space will consolidate drive up shares eventually to $3-4. They can cross-sell for synergy.

(Analysts’ price target is $2.28)
TOP PICK

The second of three suppliers of lottery tickets. Costs soared post-Covid because of paper and ink costs, but new contracts will suppliers will lead to record top- and bottom-line growth. Recently they could not renew an electronic lottery contract, but won a contract with the state of Kansas. So, shares are bouncing back. Trading at only 7x EBITDA. (Brookfield paid for a competitor which had a 14x EBITDA.)

(Analysts’ price target is $35.75)
TOP PICK

He projects record EBITDA in 2024, and have a record backlog based on strong demand for agriculture infrastructure in Brazil and eastern Europe. Trades at a cheap 7x EBITDA. A peer just got acquired at 8.5x EBITDA in the U.S. Are rumours of a takeover.

(Analysts’ price target is $78.13)