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 three months ended December 31, 2011, Dorel’s sales rose 4.1%, to $561.6 million from $539.5 million a year earlier (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars).
Revenue at the company’s home furnishings division rose 22.8% on higher sales to U.S. retailers. That offset weaker revenue at the other divisions. Earnings per share rose 7.6%, to $0.85 from $0.79 a year earlier.
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Overall, the company sold 136,317 cars and trucks in the U.S. during the month. That’s up 12.5% from 121,141 vehicles in March 2011.
The Nissan division’s sales jumped 14.8%, to a record 126,132 vehicles. Infiniti sales rose 9.8%, to 10,185 vehicles.
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Energy Products and Services sells hydraulic equipment, including power tongs, for drilling rigs. Power tongs are large wrench-like tools that tighten and loosen the pipe in the drill hole.
Mobile Solutions builds heavy-duty trailers for clients in the oil and gas, wind energy, infrastructure and construction industries. It also makes trailer-mounted vacuum tanks and operates a truck dealership.
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Wajax operates through 117 dealerships across Canada. Its customers are in the natural resource, construction, manufacturing, industrial processing and transportation industries.
In the three months ended December 31, 2011, Wajax’s revenue rose 19.2%, to $377.2 million from $316.4 million a year earlier. Demand remained strong across all of the company’s markets.
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The company earned $4.7 million, or $0.07 a share. That’s down 66.2% from $13.8 million, or $0.21 a share.
Fewer shoppers visited Reitmans’ stores in the quarter, due to weaker consumer confidence. As well, the company spent more on promotions to fend off rising competition.
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The company has 20 large stores in the Montreal, Quebec City, Repentigny, Laval, Saint-Georges, Chicoutimi, Sainte-Therese, Trois-Rivieres, Sherbrooke, Rimouski, Riviere-du-Loup and Gatineau areas. It also has six liquidation centres, six Sleep Gallery stores and two distribution and administration centres in Montreal and Quebec City. It’s now building a new store in Levis that will open shortly.
In the three months ended December 31, 2011, BMTC’s sales fell 10.0%, to $194.2 million from $215.8 million a year earlier. Lower consumer spending hurt BMTC’s sales. Earnings per share fell 10.0%, to $0.45 from $0.50.
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In the three months ended December 31, 2011, Leon’s sales fell 2.1%, to $193.8 million from $197.9 million a year earlier. Weaker consumer spending and a drop in new-housing starts held back sales.
Earnings fell 7.0%, to $19.9 million, or $0.28 a share, from $21.4 million, or $0.30 a share. The slower sales were the main reason for the earnings decline. The company also spent more on advertising.
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Couche-Tard is now up 29% since we made it our #1 stock Pick for 2012 in our February issue at $30.55.
Statoil, Norway’s largest North Sea oil producer, owns 54% of publicly traded Statoil Fuel.
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In its fiscal 2012 third quarter, which ended January 31, 2012, Major’s revenue rose 69.1%, to $182.2 million from $107.7 million a year earlier. Earnings per share jumped to $0.12 from $0.02. Due to seasonal factors, the third quarter is typically the company’s weakest.
Many of Major’s customers increased their drilling during the quarter, especially for gold, copper, coal and iron ore. The company gets 38% of its revenue from Canada and the U.S., 32% from South and Central America, and 30% from Australia, Asia and Africa.
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