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’s revenue rose slightly in the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $589.8 million from $585.4 million a year earlier (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars). Excluding one-time items, earnings per share fell 1.6%, to $0.60 from $0.61.
Revenue rose at two of FirstService’s three divisions: commercial real estate (up 17%) and residential property management (up 9%).
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The chain consists of 360 Reitmans, 154 Penningtons, 152 Smart Set, 110 Addition Elle, 74 Thyme Maternity and 68 RW & Co. stores.
In the three months ended July 28, 2012, Reitmans earned $27.4 million, or $0.42 a share. That was down 12.5% from $31.7 million, or $0.48 a share, a year earlier. Revenue was down 2.2%, to $279.5 million from $286.1 million. Same-store sales declined 1.3%.
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Gold prices remained steady, but production fell 7.7%, to 205,000 ounces from 225,000 ounces. IAMGold gets 85% of its production from mines it owns and operates, but output continues to lag at its other mines.
IAMGold’s longer-term prospects are strong—new mines will double its production within five years. It also holds cash of $1.1 billion. However, its short-term growth prospects have slowed.
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In the three months ended September 30, 2012, Dundee REIT’s revenue jumped 71.6%, to $187.3 million from $109.2 million a year earlier. Most of the increase came from properties the trust recently purchased.
Cash flow jumped 67.5%, to $61.3 million from $36.6 million. Cash flow per unit rose 5.2%, to $0.61 from $0.58, on more units outstanding (the trust issued new units to pay for the acquired properties). The units yield 6.4%.
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In June 2011, Chemtrade bought Marsulex Inc. for $419.5 million. Marsulex provides a range of environmental services, including improving air quality and treating and handling industrial waste.
In the three months ended September 30, 2012, Chemtrade’s revenue fell 10.3%, to $240.9 million from $268.5 million a year earlier. Cash flow per unit fell 25.0%, to $0.72 from $0.96. However, the decline was mostly due to a one-time accounting charge. The 2011 quarter was also particularly strong.
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The company produces and explores for oil (about 75% of production) and natural gas (25% of production).
Delphi plans to use the proceeds from the share issues to pay down debt. As of June 30, 2012, its long-term debt was $134.4 million. That’s a high 88% of its $152.2-million market cap (or the value of all of its outstanding shares). However, that mainly reflects the drop in the company’s share price due to lower natural gas prices.
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Cimarex’s properties are in the Mid-Continent region of the U.S., which includes Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas; the Permian Basin of western Texas and southeastern New Mexico; and the Texas Gulf Coast.
In the three months ended September 30, 2012, Cimarex’s production averaged 635.1 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day (including oil). That’s up 7.3%, from 592.0 million cubic feet a year earlier.
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Last year, Devon sold all of its international and Gulf of Mexico properties, which it saw as risky and expensive to develop. The company is now focused on its North American projects, which include conventional production, shale oil in Texas and oil sands in Alberta.
Devon is forming joint ventures to cut the risk of its big development projects. Earlier this year, it sold a one-third stake in shale oil and gas fields in five U.S. states to giant Chinese state-owned petroleum and chemical firm Sinopec for $2.2 billion. More recently, Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. agreed to buy 30% of the Cline and Wolfcamp shales in Texas for $1.4 billion.
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The Brick operates 230 stores across Canada, while Leon’s has 76 outlets in every province except B.C. Leon’s and The Brick will continue to operate as separate chains.
Growth by acquisition can be risky, especially with a deal this big. But the Brick looks like a good fit with Leon’s.
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In the three months ended September 30, 2012, Dorel’s sales rose 6.5%, to $613.3 million from $575.8 million a year earlier (all figures except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars). Excluding one-time items, earnings per share jumped 37.0%, to $0.63 from $0.46.
The company’s juvenile products division reported steadily rising sales of infant and children’s merchandise in North America and Europe, as well as strong gains in Chile. Sales of Schwinn and Mongoose bicycles also rose.
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