Rating Card

premium

Unlock Expert's Rating and Top Picks Portfolio

Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert)

Latest Top Picks

Stock Opinions by Gordon Reid

COMMENT
If US doesn't cut rates, and Canada does, it could help push the USD higher. Will this affect earnings?

It will affect US earnings of certain companies. Those with international operations, which have to bring money back into the US, will be hurt by a strong US dollar. Interestingly, many small-cap companies are domestically based and don't have that exposure. The Russell 2000, for example, has been fairly weak as we started the quarter, and that might be a little bit of a wind at its back.

This issue hasn't been on the front burner of discussions. It probably will be talked about more as the quarter develops, if we continue to see the USD strong, and there's a good chance of that.

You have to look at exposure. He owns some healthcare companies among his US large caps, and they tend not to be as exposed to the USD. For example, MCK completely exited its European exposure in the last couple of years. Something to keep an eye on. It may not be a topic today, but may become shortly in your tenure as an owner of these companies.

Unknown
COMMENT
Higher interest rates are not slowing the US economy.

No, they're not. And what we've seen is that the expectation for rate cuts from the street, not so much from the Fed and BOC, has gone from 6 down to 2-3. He's always been in the camp that rates would be higher for longer. The Fed and BOC will have great resolve in bringing inflation back to the 2% level.

Finally, normal isn't 0% interest rates. Normal is more about where we are. Reducing rates should only be used as a monetary tool when the economy demands it.

Unknown
HOLD
CVS Health Corp

Frustrating. Very low multiple. Number of acquisitions to enhance vertical integration. Two steps forward, one back. Not a disaster, but hasn't lived up to promise. He's not ready to sell yet, continues to buy for new clients.

specialty stores
COMMENT
Throw in the towel or not?

Must distinguish between patience and stubbornness. He's patient, but an investor has to recognize that they won't always be right. Have to be ready to move forward. Remember that professional investors are right only about 55% of the time, and that would be a pretty good return. 

Many investors get tired of holding a stock for 2-3 years that's flatlined and they sell. Then, lo and behold, the stock catches a bid and moves up 20-40%.

Unknown
DON'T BUY
Netflix Inc.
Add before earnings?

Good company, but is it a good stock? Moved sharply higher on the back of success. Declared winner of the streaming wars. Watch profitability and margins in the NA markets, as that's where it makes money. Priced aggressively. On valuation, he'd need 20-30% drop before being interested.

Technology
DON'T BUY
Microsoft Corp

Great company, but expensive. Trades 10-12 multiple points higher than peers in communication services, like META and GOOG, both of which he owns. Likes it and applauds management, but he won't pay the price.

computer software / processing
DON'T BUY
AbbVie Inc.

Companies that don't have high demand for R&D investment pay out a lot of earnings in dividends or buy back shares. Results in negative net worth on the books. Growth trajectory stale. Don't be fooled by high dividend yield or low PE.

0
BUY ON WEAKNESS
GE Vernova

Produces electricity, his favourite spinoff from GE. Expectations of 30-40% annual growth for next couple of years. Will grow into valuation. Larry Culp did a fantastic job turning GE around. Priced aggressively.

0
WAIT

One of the GE spinoffs. Larry Culp did a fantastic job turning GE around. Priced aggressively. Attractive at 10-15% below where it is now.

medical services
BUY ON WEAKNESS
Adobe Systems

Beat earnings and revenue expectations last quarter. Great AI exuberance of a few months ago has turned into impatience. Investors want immediate revenue results. He looks at the long-term potential of fundamentals.

On leading edge of using AI as an application, huge impact of letting companies boost margins through productivity growth via AI. This will filter through to the bottom line numbers, stock price will improve.

computer software / processing
BUY
Alphabet Inc

Lots of noise in the last year. Remember, pre-eminent Search tool in the world, a franchise it wants to protect. Working hard to use AI to maintain that leadership. Low 20s multiple, growing in high teens to 20%. Buyable well into the future. Exciting prospects. Very strong GARP. Risk: 90% market share possibly in jeopardy due to new technology.

Build it into your portfolio, but don't get carried away.

Technology
PAST TOP PICK
Chubb Limited
(A Top Pick Apr 21/23, Up 22%)

Insurers have pricing power, good point in the cycle. Fabulous reputation by paying legit claims quickly. Combined ratio in mid-80s, so a high margin of profitability. Doing well on underwriting and investments in bonds.

insurance
PAST TOP PICK
Elevance Health Inc
(A Top Pick Apr 21/23, Up 14%)

Health insurance companies have done extremely well and will continue to do so. And this despite continued bombardment to try to tamp down profitability. Its predecessor, Anthem, was trading around $7 a share in 1995. Company expects revenue to grow 10%+ and earnings in low teens. Trades 12-13x earnings. Great setup for long-term hold.

Don't get caught up in the news of the day, think about where it's likely to be in 5-10 years. Use these times of weakness to add to or start a position.

Healthcare
PAST TOP PICK
Lear Corp.
(A Top Pick Apr 21/23, Up 1%)

Auto parts, attuned to electrification. Very good operator. Not much going on in past year. Technology needs to catch up on EVs so that consumer fully buys in. Poised to do extremely well on margins and profitability. When the stars align, will see a lot of action here. Not if, but when.

Automotive
DON'T BUY
Intel

Beneficiary of US government supporting chip business. Company has been a disappointment at every level. No reason to invest until they turn things around. Multi-year losing streak.

computer parts mnfctr
Showing 1 to 15 of 3,588 entries