Latest Stock Advice
It is important to note that some types of investments provide more security than others. Investors seeking safe investment options should look for well-established companies with hidden assets among other key characteristics.
Top pick Yum Brands Inc. gives you sales growth, steady EPS growth, and a solid dividend
Nutrien Ltd. offers exposure to potash and nitrogen prices, a stable retail base and strong profitability.
Groupe Dynamite Inc. is a high‑quality specialty retailer with gains ahead.
Become a Successful Investor
Investing in agriculture ETFs could be a smart move if you choose the right investments for the right reasons
When investing in rare earth metals, you need to look at the unique geographical and political environment the mining company produces in.
RioCan REIT is selling U.S. malls to cut debt and add to its Canadian holdings.
I recently exchanged investment ideas with an acquaintance who has worked in the investment business for the past several decades. After I explained how we choose stocks to recommend and how we manage client portfolios, he said, “I completely agree! I diversify for each one of my clients. My view is that if you buy a bunch of different stocks, one of them is bound to pop.” Many investors would no doubt agree. However, it takes more to succeed in diversifying your portfolio. If you just buy a bunch of different stocks, you may wind up with a grab bag of duds. But even if you stick with high-quality stocks, you may find that many of them respond to or are vulnerable to one particular type of risk. If this one factor moves against you, your entire portfolio can suffer....
SolarCity Corp., $32.00, symbol SCTY on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 97.6 million; Market cap: $3.5 billion; www.solarcity.com), provides rooftop solar systems for homeowners, businesses, schools and government agencies in the U.S. SolarCity’s chairman is Elon Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla Motors. The company creates a customized energy plan for each customer, then sells, finances, engineers, installs, monitors and maintains the system. Customers can “sell” any electricity they don’t use onto their local, or state, power grid for credits they can use to “buy” electricity at night. SolarCity continues to grow quickly. On September 30, 2015, SolarCity had a total of 298,030 customers, up 77% from a year earlier. In 2013, it had a customer base of just 44,579....
Student Transportation Inc., $4.88, symbol STB on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 96.5 million; Market cap: $479.4 million; www.ridesta.com), is North America’s third-largest school bus operator, with almost 13,000 vehicles in Canada and the U.S. In its fiscal 2016 first quarter, which ended September 30, 2015, Student Transportation’s revenue rose 5.5%, to $93.4 million from $88.5 million a year earlier (all figures except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars). The company lost $9.5 million, or $0.10 a share, compared to a year-earlier loss of $8.8 million, or $0.11 a share. Student Transportation typically loses money in its fiscal first quarter because it includes the summer break. The stock yields a high 11.9%. Student Transportation has paid dividends for 135 consecutive months, and while there are no guarantees, its payout appears safe for now....