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Today, Michael Sprung commented about whether FTS-T, RY-T, WN-T, ARX-T, MFC-T, CNR-T, CVE-T, SU-T, CM-T, ENB-T, BAM.A-T are stocks to buy or sell.

COMMENT
The economy is shutting down and we're heading to the PM invoking the War Measures Act. One in four businesses could go out of business, and is delaying the tax-filing deadline. Small businesses need help. How deep will this go? This is happening while the global economy was slowing down and we just came off the trade war. This could be a long, slow recovery, but the good news--this will end. It always does, but how long will it take to dig out of that hole? The hard thing is to decide to buy in this market and not get scared out of it. Stay invested, but prudently buy. Look for companies with strong financials that will survive. There have been dramatic dividend cuts in energy, but in this environment why pay dividends at all? Why not hold onto capital?
Unknown
PARTIAL BUY

At what point does the private equity markets get hit? We're starting to see people sell even gold and treasuries to meet margin calls. It isn't far that real assets will be sold--a spiral he doesn't want to see. But BAM is well-managed. Nibble away at these level, but don't go in whole hog.

management / diversified
BUY
Enbridge
It takes nerve to buy anything now, but buy. They got a permit for line 3, which is good. They should see a 5-7% increase in earnings in the next 3-4 years.
oil / gas pipelines
BUY

It's a good time to buy the big 6 banks. Yields are very high, with CM yielding 7.5%. It's a good time for a young investor to initiate positions. No bank will have its earnings totally obliterated during this crisis. Prices have rolled back. You can now buy a bank at book value or 1.5x book, which is a rare opportunity. Yes, ROE will be compressed if loan losses rise, but requirements have recently been loosened, which takes some pressure off. TD and BMO are more exposed to the U.S. where there are some commercial credit problems, so he's cooler on those, and hotter on the other big 6, including CIBC.

banks
STRONG BUY
Suncor Energy Inc
Recommends it despite this horrible oil environment. They are diversified and financially strong. It will survive and one of the few oil names he strongly recommends. However, he isn't sure they should keep the dividend during this virus.
integrated oils
WEAK BUY
Cenovus Energy
One of the lowest-cost producers in the Oil Sands, and he recommends it even though energy has been decimated. It likely has a good position now, assuming this environment doesn't go on too long. How long Russia and the Saudis can keep prices this low without harming their own economies?
oil / gas
WATCH
The rails have held in relatively well despite all these shutdowns. Don't buy the rails until we see more stability in the economy. He's certainly watching this stock.
Transportation
PAST TOP PICK
Manulife Financial
(A Top Pick Mar 20/19, Down 36%) He's sticking with it. MFC, back to 2008, was much more sensitive to the markets than today. They de-risked their balance sheet. They're getting hit now because of exposure to Asia. He believes MFC will come out of this and do quite well.
insurance
PAST TOP PICK
Arc Resources Ltd

(A Top Pick Mar 20/19, Down 67%) This one hurts. It's higher risk/reward vs. Suncor, but they are lowering their dividend and capital program. He'd rather they completely remove the dividend.

oil / gas
COMMENT
Trump press conference on right now. Muchin suggests mailing $1,000 to Americans Well, how will they spend that money if they are staying home and businesses are closed? Until we get over this virus hump, it'll be difficult to bring back demand--and which sectors will bounce back first?
Unknown
TOP PICK
George Weston Ltd.

One of the few companies with good newss--people are cleaning out the shelves at Loblaw (and other supermarkets). Shoppers will stay open early for seniors. During worry about the Choice REIT not getting its rent from Loblaw. After a few years of turning around, Weston is improving and coming out with better sales. (Analysts’ price target is $124.00)

food processing
TOP PICK
Royal Bank
It's rare to buy RY at 1.5x book plus get paid a yield over 5%. It's the most diverse bank and large in everything they do. If there are higher provisions for loan losses, they are one of the least-sensitive of the banks. (Analysts’ price target is $105.13)
banks
TOP PICK
Fortis Inc.
It's held up relatively well. They have a $19 billion plan to build in coming years. He expects 5-7% earnings growth through 2024. A safety utility play in this environment. (Analysts’ price target is $58.98)
electrical utilities