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.
Make better stock picks when you read this FREE Special Report, Canadian Growth Stocks: WestJet Stock, RioCan Stock and More.
In the three months ended April 29, 2012, Couche-Tard’s earnings per share rose 88.6%, to $0.66 from $0.35 a year earlier (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars).
Sales rose 28.0%, to $6.1 billion from $4.7 billion. The gains came from higher fuel prices, acquisitions and higher merchandise sales. The company gets about 30% of its sales by selling merchandise.
...
Under these agreements, two airlines co-operate on flights and baggage handling. Code-sharing agreements are especially valuable for attracting business passengers. That’s because these agreements let customers seamlessly connect between flights and gain frequent-flyer points for the entire distance travelled.
As well, WestJet currently only has Boeing 737s in its fleet. That limits how far it can fly, so it relies on code-sharing and other agreements to attract international travellers.
...
Right now, Dundee owns 22.5 million square feet of office space across 175 properties and 5.7 million square feet of industrial space across 74 properties. The REIT’s industrial holdings contribute about 8% of its revenue. Dundee spent a total of $1.6 billion on property purchases in 2011, up from $900 million in 2010.
The trust’s growth-by-acquisition strategy adds risk, but it is steadily diversifying its holdings outside western Canada by purchasing more buildings in other parts of the country. At the start of 2010, about 70% of Dundee’s properties were in western Canada. That’s now down to less than 55%.
...
NBC has launched two applications using Adobe technology. Both include software that measures user traffic and offers targeted advertising.
The first app, NBC Olympics Live Extra, will let customers of cable, satellite and telephone companies live-stream competitions and events. The other app, called NBC Olympics, will provide additional information, such as TV and online schedules, live results and highlights.
...
UpNext offers interactive, threedimensional maps. Users can “drop down” into streets and tap objects to bring up information, directions or different viewpoints.
Offering its own mapping capability through UpNext will let Amazon take full advantage of rising demand for mobile ads. As well, the company may be working on a smartphone, and it could use UpNext on that device.
...
FirstService’s revenue rose 2.4% in the three months ended March 31, 2012, to $490.1 million from $478.4 million a year earlier (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars). Excluding one-time items, the company lost $0.10 a share, compared to a profit of $0.14 a share.
Revenue increased at two of FirstService’s three divisions: commercial real estate (up 9%) and residential property management (up 14%).
...
The chain consists of 364 Reitmans, 154 Penningtons, 153 Smart Set, 114 Addition Elle, 74 Thyme Maternity and 66 RW & Co. stores.
In the three months ended April 28, 2012, Reitmans lost $53,000, or nil per share, compared to a profit of $624,000, or $0.01 a share, a year earlier. The company’s sales were down 1.0%, to $217.1 million from $219.3 million. Same-store sales declined 0.7%.
...
Ms. Moretz has recently appeared in movies such as Dark Shadows and Hugo. She also starred in the cult hit Kick-Ass.
Over the last few quarters, Aeropostale has focused on more fashionable clothing instead of the basics. The company hopes Ms. Moretz will draw attention to these products and boost its sales.
...
In the three months ended March 31, 2012, Dorel’s sales rose 2.2%, to $621.1 million from $607.8 million a year earlier (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars).
Revenue at the company’s recreation/leisure division rose 10.2% on higher sales to U.S., European and Japanese retailers. That offset weaker revenue at the other divisions. Earnings per share fell 4.2%, to $0.91 from $0.95 a year earlier. That was largely due to lower profits in the competitive home furnishing segment.
...
In the three months ended March 31, 2012, Stantec’s revenue rose 7.4%, to $439.1 million from $408.7 million a year earlier. Acquisitions were one reason for the gains. Stantec is also working on several new projects. Earnings rose 4.5%, to $24.9 million, or $0.55 a share, from $23.8 million, or $0.52 a share.
Stantec continues to grow by acquisition. In 2011, it bought five companies. Its purchases this year include engineering-consulting firm Cimarron Engineering Ltd., which develops, designs, installs and maintains oil and gas pipeline systems and station facilities. Demand for these services is growing quickly.
...