Latest Top Picks

Stock Opinions by Bob Stodgell

TOP PICK
Power Corp
Down 17% year to date. Insurance industry has been under great pressure, mainly because of the portfolio. This company has wonderful businesses and great long-term management. It will come back. Increased their dividends by 20% last quarter, which indicates they are sure things are going to improve. 3.5% yield.
mngmnt / diversified
TOP PICK
BCE Inc.
Thinks the deal will get done at $42.75. If it gets done at a lower price, it still would be higher than the current price and you get a dividend.
telephone utilities
TOP PICK
Information provider by electronic delivery. As demand for information increases, this should be a decent story. Have exposure in the Asian Pacific region that could overcome their potential weaknesses in the financial industry in North America.
publishing / printing
HOLD
Encana Corp
Planning to split into 2 companies. Oil and gas. When they do, it would be worthwhile holding both companies. Both companies could be vulnerable as a takeover.
oil / gas
HOLD
Petro-Canada
Has started to pick up a bit of momentum. Good long-term investment.
integrated oils
HOLD
Hewlett-Packard Co
Has done exceptionally well. Have been cost-cutting. Now getting into the arena of consulting by acquiring Electronic Data Systems (EDS-N). When companies go through things like this, you have to be careful and patient for integration risks.
electrical / electronic
COMMENT
Oil Stocks: - If you don't have a position, you should wait a little bit. Investors may be taking some profits now. It's good to hold some cash as the market crests into new territory.
Unknown
PARTIAL BUY
TC Energy
Utilities are good to have for a diversified portfolio. Suggests that you nibble a little bit. And you keep some of your money; there could be an opportunity when the stock drops.
oil / gas pipelines
DON'T BUY
Starbucks
Have expanded aggressively the last few years. There is a trend towards other products. Getting a lot of competition. Think they have some hard decisions to make.
food services
BUY
Telus Corp
On the assumption that the Bell Canada (BCE-T) deal does get done, there will be a lot of money that has been designated for the Telecom area and will have to be redeployed. Feels the competitive landscape will be changing too. Good long-term holding.
telephone utilities
BUY
On the assumption that the Bell Canada (BCE-T) deal does get done, there will be a lot of money that has been designated for the Telecom area and will have to be redeployed. Feels the competitive landscape will be changing too. Good long-term holding.
Cable
COMMENT
Citigroup Inc.
There is some awfully smart money buying into some of these major US financials. This is a great franchise. In this sector, buy the best assets you can and hold them for the long-term.
banks
COMMENT
Canadian Banks: If he had to pick one right now, Royal (RY-T), Toronto Dominion (TD-T) and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS-T) are ones he would look at. An interesting way to see what the market thinks of them is to look at the dividend yield. It is very attractive in that you get the dividend tax credit and the equivalent yield of 20-30 year Canada bonds.
Unknown
COMMENT
Are doing very well in some of their train divisions. Their regional jet business is turning around. He has not found this one particularly attractive.
transportation equip & components
BUY
Talisman Mining Ltd
Feels there is a lot of value but there are some geopolitical issues. Typically crude tends to have a weak first quarter. Expect there will be some troughing here. Feels the demand for oil is going to be strong long-term. This one looks like reasonably good quality.
oil / gas
Showing 1 to 15 of 265 entries