Chief Investment Officer at First Avenue Investment Counsel
Member since: Aug '16 · 1529 Opinions
Markets in tug of war between earnings and interest rates. Strong earnings pushing markets to all time high. Big US tech companies are surprising analysts on the upside. Interest rate cuts are not appearing in markets despite investor expectations. Growth stocks continue to outperform traditional value stocks. "Mag 7" stocks outperforming most indexes, leading the markets. Dividend oriented investors have been frustrated in 2024.
World's largest distributor of swimming pool and supplies. Leading supplier of landscaping supplies in USA. 400 sales centers and have dominant market share regionally. Capital light growth model equates to a ~40% on their shareholder capital. Dividend growing in double digits. Growth in Southern US states along with warmer weather creating higher demand for products. Long term, a very good investment. Stock entering strong period of year for sales.
Added to dividend growth fund. Seasonal business with 45% market share in North America. Also has "salty snacks" brands business. Earns excellent margins on business with very strong profits. Leading ESG rated consumer packaged goods company. Tripling of coco prices expected to fall in the coming months. Very good time to buy at 20x earnings.
Largest tech stock in Canada with eCommerce service offering. Recurring revenue model with add "apps" + and financing options. Very sticky business model. Expecting higher earnings with divestment of fulfillment business. New management has focused on profitability. 48% growth in earnings expected in 2024. 33% price increase on subscription fees also adding to profits.
(A Top Pick May 18/23, Down 4%)
Laggard in the market with disappointing results. Organic growth has been slow. Continues to own shares. Serial acquirer to create growth. Recent M&A starting to pay off. Earnings per share expected to rise. 150 million global users. A.I. products expected to increase. Good long term investment.
Very strong business with excellent business model. Stock performance has been very strong. Data and analytics business also expected to rise. Steady dividend growth with 2% yield. Trading at 20x earnings.
Very strong stock performance. Continues to beat earnings and sales expectations. Competition with Microsoft and Amazon. Demand for products very high. Excellent business that is good for long term investors. Very high margins.
Owns shares in company. Not adding to position, but comfortable holding. 5th largest power company in North America. Recent earnings strong. Alberta base with Ontario assets. Moving coal assets to natural gas power. Yield ~5% is very stable. Balance sheet is solid with a good proxy to bonds. Good combination of yield and growth prospects.
Very strong business model with excellent 4th quarter earnings report. Weakness in natural gas prices not a concern. Very low cost operator with excellent marketing and management team. Selling to California and Pacific US to realize higher pricing. Company able to realize global prices with creative marketing agreements. Reserves increasing at steady rate with 85% undeveloped. Canada's top natural gas producers. Stable dividend that consistently increases. Special dividend also adds to yield. LNG Canada will also help business mode. Excellent long term hold.
Strong business model. Owns shares. Excellent retail footprint. Would recommend holding.
Does not own shares, and would not recommend buying. Not a strong business model. Footprint limited to Canada with low growth.
Has recently sold shares in company. Dividend growth not sustainable. Free cash flow and earnings not growing enough. Would not recommend investing. Not seeing growth prospects for business.
A good long term investment that will continue to own. Very strong business with high margins. Good at M&A and has proven business plan extensively. Founder led with CEO owning large amount of shares. Return in capital remains strong. Vertical market software very profitable and sticky. Friendly "off ramp" for entrepreneurs who are looking to sell. ~36% compounding return since 2006.
Money laundering issues a concern - will be costly. Stock trading at discount. Strong US footprint. Company business model bruised, but not broken. Would be interested in a small position now. Capital adequacy very strong with good brand name in Canada.
Good business with strong assets. Splitting pipeline assets into separate company. Natural gas and nuclear energy business strong. Excellent management team. Dividend yield ~7%. Expecting growth in dividend yield. Coastal Gas Link good for business. Best pipeline business in Canada.