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 the quarter ended December 31, 2012, the weak global economy lowered Goodyear’s sales by 11.2%, to $5.05 billion from $5.68 billion a year earlier.
North American sales fell 10.4%, to $2.31 billion from $2.58 billion. As well, sales declined by 9.2% in Latin America; 16.2% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and 0.5% in Asia. Unfavourable foreign currency moves also lowered Goodyear’s revenue.
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In the three months ended December 31, 2012, Carfinco’s revenue rose 16.1%, to $19.2 million from $16.5 million a year earlier. The company loaned $40.1 million in the quarter, up 24.4% from $32.2 million.
Earnings rose 13.6%, to $5.0 million, or $0.21 a share, from $4.4 million, or $0.18 a share.
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In the three months ended December 31, 2012, Zargon produced 7,720 barrels of oil equivalent per day, down 17.0% from 9,278 barrels a year earlier. That’s because the company sold some less important properties and cut back on natural gas drilling in light of low gas prices. The production drop pushed down Zargon’s cash flow per share by 5.2%, to $0.55 from $0.58 a year earlier.
The company expects cash flow of $1.89 a share in 2013. It trades at 3.4 times that estimate.
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Leon’s is still a buy.
Adobe is doing a good job of selling its Creative Cloud package of photo-editing and desktoppublishing programs as a subscription service instead of a one-time purchase. The company added 153,000 Creative Cloud subscribers during the quarter, to bring its total to 479,000.
As a result, its subscription revenue jumped 53.4% from a year earlier and now accounts for 22% of its overall revenue. Adobe still gets 67% of its revenue from direct software sales. Services and support supply the remaining 11%.
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In the three months ended December 31, 2012, the company’s revenue rose 6.3%, to $632.5 million from $594.9 million a year earlier (all figures except share prices in U.S. dollars). Excluding one-time items, earnings per share jumped 30.8%, to $0.68 from $0.52.
Revenue rose at two of FirstService’s three divisions: commercial real estate (up 23%) and residential property management (up 10%).
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The Nectar Italia loyalty program has signed up over 9.5 million members since its launch in March 2010. Its partners include a range of Italian retailers and participating shopping websites. As well, Nectar offers a credit card that lets holders earn points.
Aimia continues to diversify its operations geographically. That’s offsetting the risk of its Canadian business: Air Canada, a major Aeroplan partner, is vulnerable to labour disputes that can disrupt its service.
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In the three months ended January 31, 2013, AlarmForce’s sales rose 9.1%, to $11.9 million from $10.9 million a year earlier. Earnings almost doubled, to $1.4 million, or $0.11 a share, from $699,000, or $0.06.
AlarmForce’s revenue rose along with its subscriber base. Earnings were sharply higher because the company spent a lot less on marketing than in the yearearlier quarter, when it increased its advertising spending as it expanded into the U.S.
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The production increase pushed up Birchcliff’s cash flow per share by 16.7%, to $0.28 from $0.24 a year earlier.
The stock trades at 7.1 times the company’s annual cash flow, based on the latest quarter.
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Imperial restarted Mount Polley in 2005 and continues to explore around the known deposit to increase the mine’s reserves and lengthen its life. Right now, Imperial expects Mount Polley to produce until mid- 2023.
The company is also developing its Red Chris copper/ gold property in northwestern B.C, where it could start up an open-pit mine as early as late 2014. The property holds as much as 9 billion pounds of copper and 13.8 million ounces of gold.
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