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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In September 2013, Carfinco expanded into the U.S. through its $9.5-million purchase of Persian Acceptance Corp., an automotive lender that also caters to less-affluent borrowers. The acquisition boosted Carfinco’s loans outstanding by about 22%.
In the three months ended June 30, 2014, the company’s revenue rose 24.5%, to $24.3 million from $19.5 million a year earlier. Carfinco loaned $54.0 million in the quarter, up 26.9% from $42.6 million.
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In the three months ended June 30, 2014, Intact’s revenue was virtually unchanged from a year earlier, at $2.17 billion. The company earned $210 million, or $1.60 a share, up sharply from $98 million, or $0.73.
However, the year-earlier results include a pre-tax loss of $143 million, mostly related to storms and flooding in southern Alberta. Similar losses in the 2014 quarter were just $33 million.
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In the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Dream’s revenue rose 3.1%, to $204.4 million from $198.2 million a year earlier. The trust continues to renew expiring leases at higher rates.
Cash flow gained 2.7%, to $61.0 million from $59.4 million, while cash flow per unit rose 4.9%, to $0.64 from $0.61, on more units outstanding.
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During the quarter, Mitel’s revenue rose 96.9%, to $288.7 million from $146.6 million a year ago (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars). Most of the increase came from Aastra.
Without one-time items, earnings jumped 124.2%, to $22.2 million from $9.9 million. However, earnings per share rose just 16.7%, to $0.21 from $0.18, as the company issued new shares to pay for Aastra Technologies.
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In the three months ended June 30, 2014, the company earned $1.4 million, or $0.06 a share, excluding one-time items. A year earlier, it made just $485,000, or $0.02 a share.
Revenue rose 20.2%, to $334.0 million from $277.8 million, thanks to rising construction activity in Western Canada.
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In the three months ended June 29, 2014, Tim Hortons’ revenue rose 9.3%, to $874.3 million from $800.1 million a year earlier. That beat the consensus forecast of $843.3 million.
Same-store sales rose 2.6% at its Canadian locations and 5.9% in the U.S. These gains were mainly due to successful new menu items.
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In the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Russel’s revenue rose 17.8%, to $893.3 million from $758.1 million a year earlier. Higher demand and selling prices pushed up revenue at its metal services business by 11%. The energy tubular products division, which supplies pipes for oil and gas exploration and development, saw its revenue rise 17%.
Earnings gained 53.3%, to $30.5 million, or $0.50 a share. A year earlier, the company earned $19.9 million, or $0.33. Russel has invested in new plants and processing equipment over the past three years, which has cut its costs and improved its efficiency. That’s paying off with higher profits.
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In 2011, Devon sold all of its international and Gulf of Mexico properties, which it saw as risky and expensive to develop.
The company is narrowing its focus even further with its recent agreement to sell some of its properties to Linn Energy LLC for $2.3 billion. The sale includes Devon’s holdings in the Rockies, the onshore Gulf Coast and the Mid-Continent region (which includes Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas).
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