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Today, Christine Poole commented about whether AC-T, CSCO-Q, BCE-T, VZ-N, NGT-T, V-N, ABT-N, TD-T, RY-T, L-T, DLTR-Q, JNJ-N, ATRL-T, HR.UN-T, AFN-T, NTR-T, GOOG-Q, BTE-T, SJR.B-T, FCR-T, MFC-T, YUM-N, ATD.B-T, META-Q are stocks to buy or sell.

COMMENT
U.S. manufacturing is still weak with numbers showing contraction for five straight months. She wants to see growth. Consumer spending and unemployment numbers are strong and are keeping the US economy going. US markets are also strong because the Fed's Powell cut interest rates, so she wants to see the follow-through in profits in the upcoming earnings season. Earnings multiples on stocks have risen. She also wants to see corporate spending, which was held back in 2019 because of the US-China trade. Now, we have clarity; both countries are signing phase one of the trade deal tomorrow.
Unknown
BUY ON WEAKNESS

It's nicely recovered, but is no longer cheap. Valuation is too high for her. She'd rather buy Alphabet. Regulatory issues will remain an overhang that'll be ongoing. They are spending more, too, which compresses their margins. Maybe buy on a pullback.

Technology
BUY ON WEAKNESS
It's done well long-term and is a great acquirer of assets. After buying businesses in North America, they now want to expand internationally. But there are better growth stocks outside Canada. Maybe buy on a pullback. It's a good, long-term growth stock though.
food stores
COMMENT
Yum! Brands

Now is a good entry point. They own KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, which are well-represented in China and emerging markets. A third of KFC's revenues come from China. Taco Bell is strong in the US, and will expand internationally. Pizza Hut is the laggard in America where pizza is competitive; are closing some PH locations. They just bought Habit Restaurants, a small California burger chain, which is another branch that YUM can grow. Prefers this to QSR.

food services
BUY
Manulife Financial
Why is this trading at $27 when it should be over $30? MFC is transitioning. Insurance is a very long-tail businesses with products that need a lot of time to pay off (insurance policies). Their wealth management business in Asia is strong. It's been a long haul for MFC, going back to the Great Recession, and have been making slow progress. They are growing their book value. If things continue, they will grow their earnings and generally improve. She's happy to hold it. They're quarterly results are becoming consistent which will drive the stock. Pays a 3.6% yield.
insurance
WEAK BUY
Doesn't follow this closely, but they are well-managed and a good real estate company overall. (The ticker has changed to FCR recently.)
property mngmnt / investment
DON'T BUY

Shaw missed their last earnings due to increased competition in wireless (Shaw re-entered last year) with lower data packages. She owns few telcos, though they pay an attractive dividend. She prefers BCE who are national and pay a good, rising dividend.

Cable
DON'T BUY
Baytex Energy Corp

A leveraged play on crude oil prices. She owns no energy stocks, because she wants to see clarity on takeaway capacity from Alberta. BTE will follow the price of oil. CNQ and Suncor are the better oil names.

oil / gas
BUY ON WEAKNESS
Alphabet Inc
It's had a good run in the past year and likes it. Now, she's waiting for a pullback before adding more. Earnings season is coming, so let's see the results.
Technology
BUY
Nutrien Ltd.
She'd buy it now. Last year was disappointing for potash pricing, and the trade war also hurt NTR. The signing of the US-China trade deal, phase one, should benefit US farmers and NTR. The bad news is in the stock already. NTR's retail operations in America and Australia are performing well and are stable--she likes them. Will build retail in Brazil, too. NTR generates a lot of free cash flow after the Potash merger a few years ago to buyback shares, invest in retail and raise the dividend. Pays a 3.7% yield. Didn't rally with the market last year, but will have a better 2020.
agriculture
BUY
A small-cap. It's well-managed and have expanded into the U.S. from where they receive a lot of revenues. AG will perform in line with U.S. agriculture. Overall a good name.
machinery
BUY
It's underperformed other REITs, but pays over a 6% yield. They've been pulling out of US malls and getting into multi-residential communities. The lower stock price now is a good entry.
property mngmnt / investment
DON'T BUY
They had a nice bounce recently as their legal issues have lifted. Going forward, it'll be based on their fundamentals and new businesses they acquire. She doesn't know any construction stocks now. She wants to see their outlook and plan for future contracts before considering this.
contractors
BUY
Johnson & Johnson
Has long owned this. It's attractively valued in this space. Likes their diversity--pharmaceutical (many new products), medical devices, and consumer products. Litigation overhang (talcum powder lawsuit) is an overhang. JNJ continues to raise their 3% dividend. Has a strong balance sheet. You can start buying it here if you are a long-term investor.
biotechnology / pharmaceutical
TOP PICK
Dollar Tree

101.36 The largest US dollar store. This pulled back in the last quarter of 2019; margins depressed due to tariffs and transportation costs, but these will pass. They bought Family Dollar a few years ago and had trouble intregrating it, but that's behind them them. They're introducing refrigerated foods now, and various price points which may increase sales. This now trades at a discount to peers, including Dollarama. She's continuing to buy it. Pays no dividend; a growth stock.

merchandising / lodging