Although growth stock picks can be highly volatile, they can make good long-term investments. They may be well-known stars or quiet gems, but they do share one common attribute—they are growing at a higher-than-average rate within their industry, or within the market as a whole, and could keep growing for years or decades.
And keep in mind that we focus on growth stocks, which have a good long-term history and favourable prospects. We downplay momentum stocks that tend to attract many investors simply because they are moving faster than the market averages, but are liable to fall sharply when their momentum fades.
There’s room for growth stock investing in your portfolio, but make sure you follow our TSI Network three-part Successful Investor strategy for your overall portfolio:
- Invest mainly in well-established companies;
- Spread your money out across most if not all of the five main economic sectors (Manufacturing & Industry; Resources & Commodities; Consumer; Finance; Utilities);
- Downplay or avoid stocks in the broker/media limelight.
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The company also recently announced that it would stop making cheaper mobile phones for emerging markets and focus on higher-priced models for developed nations. Severance costs and other expenses will widen its expected loss to $1.38 per ADR in the year ending March 31, 2015, from $1.21 in 2014.
Sony is still a hold.
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In the three months ended September 30, 2014, Honda sold 1.07 million cars and trucks, up 2.3% from 1.05 million a year earlier. New models spurred gains in Asia (up 13.3%) and Europe (up 12.5%). However, sales fell 2.9% in the U.S. and 2.2% in Japan. Motorcycle sales rose 8.7%.
Due to unfavourable currency rates, revenue fell 2.0% in the quarter, to $27.6 billion from $28.1 billion. However, lower costs helped increase the company’s earnings per ADR by 10.8%, to $0.72 from $0.65 (each ADR equals one common share).
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In its fiscal 2015 second quarter, which ended September 30, 2014, Toyota sold 2.24 million vehicles, unchanged from a year ago. North American sales jumped 12.5%, thanks to strong demand for sport utility vehicles. That offset declines in Japan (down 8.9%), other parts of Asia (down 4.2%) and Europe (down 3.3%).
Overall revenue fell 6.5%, to $59.8 billion from $63.9 billion, but revenue improved 4.3% in Japanese yen. A cost-cutting plan helped boost earnings per ADR by 10.3%, to $3.11 from $2.82 (each American depositary receipt equals two Toyota common shares).
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The company would probably receive $7 billion for Wella, roughly what it paid for it in 2003.
This sale is part of Procter’s plan to sell about 100 less-profitable brands. That will leave it with around 80 that together account for 90% of its sales and 95% of its profits. This tighter focus will also cut Procter’s manufacturing and distribution costs...
However, the company is doing a good job of getting customers to upgrade from basic cellphones to more profitable smartphones. In addition, demand for its FiOS high-speed fibre optic Internet and TV services continues to improve.
Verizon is a buy.
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The company continues to buy smaller firms that add to its expertise.
For example, it recently paid $18.9 million for Binol AB, a Swedish firm that makes lubricants from vegetable fats and oils. Binol, which sells its products to clients in the metalworking, forestry and construction industries, will add $15.3 million to Quaker’s annual sales.
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The company makes most of its products from oilbased resins, so it stands to gain from the recent drop in oil prices.
Newell continues to streamline its manufacturing and distribution operations, which should cut $270 million from its annual costs by mid-2015. The company now feels it can save an additional $200 million a year by the end of 2017.
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Sherwin sells to consumers through over 4,100 company-owned stores in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. It also distributes its products through other retailers and makes paint for carmakers and other industrial users.
In September 2013, the company paid $165 million for Mexican paint maker Comex’s U.S. and Canadian operations, including 314 stores.
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The purchase price works out to a 159.4% gain since we first recommended PetSmart at $32 in our October 2007 issue.
The buyers aim to complete the takeover in the first half of 2015. Investors should hold their shares and tender them to avoid paying brokerage fees.
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The company offers subscribers in 35 markets a special rate if they also take USAToday, which is partly why USAToday is the top-selling newspaper in the U.S., at 1.1 million copies a day.
Gannett also publishes 443 non-daily papers in the U.S., as well as 17 dailies and over 200 weekly papers and magazines in the U.K. Publishing accounts for 57% of its revenue but just 22% of its profits.
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