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An improved U.S. housing market helps Canadian growth stock Hardwood Distribution, but we view this stock as a very aggressive investment.

With other properties sold off, IAMGold is focused solely on its gold mines, which we think enhances its prospects for aggressive investors.

FAIR ISAAC CORP. $82.43 (New York symbol FICO; TSINetwork Rating: Average)(415-472-2211; www.fairisaac.com; Shares outstanding: 31.1 million; Market cap: $2.6 billion; Dividend yield: 0.1%) makes FICO Scores, the program that dominates the market for software that businesses use to evaluate customer creditworthiness. Fair Isaac also profits by selling programs that help credit card issuers control fraud and analyze cardholders’ spending patterns.

In its fiscal 2015 third quarter, which ended June 30, 2015, Fair Isaac’s revenue rose 5.9%, to $209.3 million from $197.6 million a year earlier. Sales at its applications division (61% of the total) fell 2.1% on weaker demand for marketing and fraud detection software. However, sales of credit-scoring programs (27%) jumped 23.0%, while sales of analytics software (12%) gained 18.1%.

The company earned $32.3 million, up 10.3% from $29.2 million. Earnings per share rose 20.5%, to $1.00 from $0.83, on fewer shares outstanding. Fair Isaac spends around 12% of its revenue on research, which lets it produce innovative products that keep it ahead of the competition.

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SYMANTEC CORP. $19.95 (Nasdaq symbol SYMC; TSINetwork Rating: Average)(650-527-8000;www.symantec.com; Shares outstanding: 684.2 million; Marketcap: $13.5 billion; Dividend yield: 3.0%) continues to strengthen its fast-growing cyber security business. It’salso selling off its Veritas Technologies division.

Corporations are spending more on cyber security following high-profile attacks on Sony, Target and Ashley Madison. Symantec is taking advantage of thisby hiring more programmers. It has also cancelled unprofitable contracts and simplified its product lines.

These moves cut the company’s profits by 12.1% in its fiscal 2016 first quarter, which ended July 3, 2015,to $275 million, or $0.40 a share, from $313 million,or $0.45. Sales fell 13.6%, to $1.50 billion from $1.74billion.

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INTACT FINANCIAL $94.32 (Toronto symbol IFC; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (416-341- 1464; www.intactfc.com; Shares outstanding: 131.5 million; Market cap: $12.2 billion; Dividend yield: 2.3%) has reached a tentative deal to offer insurance to drivers with the Uber ride-sharing service, under which passengers use a smartphone app to hire drivers who use their own personal vehicles.

Intact won’t reveal further details until provincial insurance regulators sign off on the plan, but it did say it would offer the insurance under its two main brands: Intact Insurance and belairdirect.

Uber says its drivers are covered by a commercial policy for up to $5 million worth of injuries and property damage. However, under Canadian law, commercial drivers must have their own insurance to cover claims incurred while transporting a passenger for profit.

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WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE $78.71 (New York symbol WYN; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (973- 753-6000; www.wyndhamworldwide.com; Shares outstanding: 118.1 million; Market cap: $9.2 billion; Dividend yield: 2.1%) now plans to enter Myanmar, where it has signed a franchise agreement for a 26-room hotel in Yangon, the country’s capital.

Owned by Asia Myanmar Shining Star Company, the five-star Wyndham Grand Yangon Royal Lake will be part of the mixed-use Kantharyar Centre Project, at the southern fringe of Yangon’s popular Kandawgyi Lake. The $157-million U.S. complex will include a residential building, serviced apartments, an office tower and a shopping mall. The hotel is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

Wyndham Worldwide is a hold.

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FIRSTSERVICE CORP. $42.76 (Toronto symbol FSV; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (416-960-9500; www.firstservice.com; Shares outstanding: 34.6 million; Market cap: $1.5 billion; Dividend yield: 1.2%) offers residential property management and property improvement services.

The company recently announced that it is acquiring Custom Property Management, a leading provider of residential property management services in West Palm Beach, Florida, and surrounding areas. FirstService didn’t reveal the deal’s terms.

The transaction will add over 16,000 units to FirstService’s existing property management portfolio, which totals 7,200 buildings comprised of over 1.6 million residential units throughout North America.

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DELPHI ENERGY $0.74 (Toronto symbol DEE; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative)(403- 265-6171; www.delphienergy.ca; Shares outstanding: 155.5 million; Market cap: $115.1 million; No dividends paid) develops, produces and explores for oil and natural gas. About 70% of its output is gas; the remaining 30% is oil.

In the three months ended June 30, 2015, Delphi’s production fell 1.7%, to 10,210 barrels of oil equivalent a day from 10,397 a year earlier. The lower output and a 31.4% average decline in oil and gas prices cut cash flow per share to $0.06 from $0.09. The company will need improved oil and gas prices to move significantly higher, but its long-term outlook is positive.

Delphi Energy is a buy for aggressive investors.

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PASON SYSTEMS $19.73 (Toronto symbol PSI; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative)(403-301-3400; www.pason.com; Shares outstanding: 83.7 million; Market cap: $1.6 billion; Dividend yield: 3.5%) rents equipment for monitoring and managing land-based oil rigs. It also provides communication systems clients use to remotely collect data from their drilling operations. Pason serves oil and gas firms and drilling contractors throughout Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

In the three months ended June 30, 2015, the company’s revenue fell 44.7%, to $57.4 million from $103.9 million a year earlier. A rise in the U.S. dollar only partly offset an industry-wide slowdown in oil and gas drilling.

The company lost $9.4 million, or $0.11 a share, compared to a profit of $17.6 million, or $0.21, a year ago. The lower revenue was the main reason for the decline, and the latest quarter also included $2.6 million of restructuring costs. Cash flow per share was positive, though it was down sharply, to $0.11 from $0.53.

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COMPUTER MODELLING GROUP $12.53 (Toronto symbol CMG; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (403-531-1300; www.cmgl.ca; Shares outstanding: 79.0 million; Market cap: $976.3 million; Dividend yield: 3.2%) sells software and services that help conventional oil and gas producers create 3-D models of reservoirs. That lets them squeeze more out of those reservoirs using advanced recovery techniques, such as injecting steam or chemicals. Typically, only 25% to 30% of oil and gas is recovered during primary production.

Unconventional producers using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, of oil and gas-bearing shale can also use Computer Modelling’s software to determine optimal drilling locations and depths.

In the three months ended June 30, 2015, the company’s revenue rose 9.7%, to $21.4 million from $19.6 million a year earlier. Software licensing revenue (90% of the total) rose 10.9%, while consulting and professional services revenue (10%) fell slightly.

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SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL $0.98 (Toronto symbol S; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (1-800-704-6698; www.sherritt.com; Shares outstanding: 293.9 million; Market cap: $285.1 million; Dividend yield: 4.1%) reported revenue of $99.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2015, down 23.5% from $130.2 million a year earlier, mostly due to lower oil and gas prices.

However, cash flow per share doubled, to $0.08 from $0.04, mostly because of lower interest and tax payments. Sherritt has also cut about 10% of its salaried workforce.

The company needs an improving global economy to fuel commodity demand, but it’s well positioned to profit from a rebound.

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YAMANA GOLD $2.13 (Toronto symbol YRI; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative)(416-815-0220; www.yamana.com; Shares outstanding: 946.5 million; Market cap: $1.9 billion; Dividend yield: 3.7%) owns eight operating gold mines in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. It also holds a 12.5% stake in the Alumbrera copper/gold mine in Argentina and has a number of other properties in advanced stages of development.

In the three months ended June 30, 2015, the company’s gold production rose 7.1%, to 298,818 ounces from 279,118 a year earlier. That was mainly due to its 50% stake in the Canadian Malartic gold mine in Quebec, which it purchased last year; this mine contributed 68,440 ounces to Yamana’s latest quarterly output.

The higher production helped offset a 7.5% decline in gold prices. As a result, Yamana’s cash flow rose slightly, to $149.3 million from $149.0 million. However, cash flow per share fell 15.8%, to $0.16 from $0.19, on more shares outstanding.

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NEW GOLD $3.02 (Toronto symbol NGD; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (888-315-9715; www.newgold .com; Shares outstanding: 509.1 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; No dividends paid) has four mines: the Mesquite project in the U.S., Cerro San Pedro in Mexico, the Peak mine in Australia and the New Afton mine in B.C.

New Gold also owns 30% of the El Morro copper/ gold project in Chile, 100% of the Blackwater property in B.C. and 100% of the Rainy River project in Ontario.

In the three months ended June 30, 2015, New Gold’s cash flow per share fell 8.3%, to $0.11 from $0.12 a year earlier. That’s because the company’s gold and copper production fell, as did prices.

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TEMPUR SEALY $76.95 (New York symbol TPX; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative)(800- 878-8889; www.tempursealy.com; Shares outstanding: 61.9 million; Market cap: $4.8 billion; No dividends paid) has named a new chief executive officer.

The previous CEO, Marc Sarvaray, resigned earlier this year under pressure from activist investor H Partners Management, which holds 10% of the company’s shares.

Tempur Sealy’s new CEO and chairman is Scott L. Thompson, who led car-rental agency Dollar Thrifty Automotive until Hertz Global Holdings acquired it in 2012.

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CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL $730.01 (New York symbol CMG; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (303-595-4000; www.chipotle.com; Shares outstanding: 31.1 million; Market cap: $22.8 billion; No dividends paid) is a Denver- based Mexican restaurant chain. It charges slightly higher prices than fast food companies, but it offers better quality food, including naturally raised meat, and superior decor and service.

In the three months ended June 30, 2015, Chipotle’s sales jumped 14.1%, to $1.20 billion from $1.05 billion a year earlier. Its restaurants attracted more customers during the quarter, which increased its same-restaurant sales by 4.3%.

Chipotle opened 48 new outlets, bringing its total to 1,878. It aims to add a total of 100 locations this year. Earnings gained 27.1%, to $140.2 million, or $4.51 a share, from $110.3 million, or $3.55. That’s partly because it raised the prices of some menu items last year, offsetting higher beef and packaging costs.

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DOMINO’S PIZZA $111.62 (New York symbol DPZ; TSINetwork Rating: Average)(734-930-3008; www.dominos.com; Shares outstanding: 54.9 million; Market cap: $6.1 billion; Dividend yield: 1.1%) is the world’s largest chain of pizza stores that offer takeout and delivery. It operates 11,700 outlets in the U.S. and 75 other countries. Franchisees run most of these stores.

In the three months ended June 14, 2015, the company’s earnings per share jumped 20.9%, to $0.81 from $0.67 a year earlier.

Sales gained 8.5%, to $488.6 million from $450.5 million. Same-store sales rose 6.7% internationally, but more important, they increased 12.8% in the U.S., home to most of the company’s stores.

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WESTJET $24.77 (Toronto symbol WJA; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (1-877-493- 7853; www.westjet.com; Shares outstanding: 125.8 million; Market cap: $3.0 billion; Div. yield: 2.3%) recently took delivery of the first of its four Boeing 767 extended-range wide-body aircraft.

Over the next several months, this new plane will fly between Toronto and Calgary; the other three aircraft will arrive separately over the next eight months. The next two 767s will fly from Alberta to Hawaii and between Toronto and Montego Bay, Jamaica, beginning in December 2015.

The fourth and final aircraft, which features 262 seats and an 11-hour range, will arrive next spring to launch WestJet’s new service to London, England, in May 2016.

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REITMANS (CANADA) LTD. $4.62 (Toronto symbol RET.A; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (514-384- 1140; www.reitmans.com; Shares outstanding: 64.6 million; Market cap: $303.1 million; Dividend yield: 4.3%) owns 794 women’s clothing stores across Canada.

The chain consists of 333 Reitmans, 135 Penningtons, 107 Addition Elle, 80 RW & Co., 69 Thyme Maternity and 70 Smart Set outlets. It also has 21 Thyme Maternity boutiques in Canadian Babies “R” Us stores.

In the three months ended August 1, 2015, Reitmans’ sales fell 2.1%, to $253.0 million from $258.3 million a year earlier. That’s because the company closed 51 less profitable locations. Same-store sales gained 1.7%, with brick-and-mortar stores decreasing 0.6% and e-commerce jumping 70.1%.

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LEON’S FURNITURE LTD. $14.00 (Toronto symbol LNF; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (416-243-7880; www.leons.ca; Shares outstanding: 71.2 million; Market cap: $996.6 million; Dividend yield: 2.9%) has steadily opened new stores, growing from 27 in 2003 to 80 today.

However, the company more than quadrupled in size overnight with its March 2013 purchase of its main rival, The Brick, for $700 million. The Brick has 223 locations across Canada; the chains continue to operate separately.

In the three months ended June 30, 2015, the company’s sales rose 2.1%, to $484.3 million from $474.5 million a year earlier. On a same-store basis, sales gained 1.7%.

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ALIMENTATION COUCHETARD $60.49 (Toronto symbol ATD.B: TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (1-800-361-2612; www.couchetard. com; Shares outstanding: 567.4 million; Market cap: $34.1 billion; Dividend yield: 0.4%) is at new all-time highs after reporting improved profits in the latest quarter.

In the three months ended July 19, 2015, Couche-Tard’s sales fell 2.2%, to $8.98 billion from $9.19 billion a year earlier (all figures except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars).

The fall came from lower gasoline prices, while the higher U.S. dollar cut the contribution from its European operations. That was partly offset by a full quarter of sales from The Pantry, which Couche-Tard bought for $1.7 billion on March 16, 2015.

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MENTOR GRAPHICS CORP. $25.25 (Nasdaq symbol MENT; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (503-685-7000; www.mentor.com; Shares outstanding: 116.3 million; Market cap: $3.0 billion; Dividend yield: 0.9%) makes systems that improve the design of electronic products and speed up their development. Its products are used in a range of industries.

As an example, Mentor’s software lets automotive component and chip makers use less wiring, identify potential safety and security issues and minimize electromagnetic effects on sensitive modules. The auto business is one of the company’s biggest growth areas because it’s quickly shifting from mechanical to electronic systems: electronics now make up roughly 40% of a car’s cost.

Whether or not regulators ever approve a true driverless car, research on those vehicles is rapidly accelerating advanced driver assistance systems, such as collision avoidance; infotainment, including GPS; and connectivity apps that record data about a car’s performance, sync with smartphones and notify emergency services.

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Today, we look at a hedged ETF, a BMO dividend fund that Pat McKeough was asked to evaluate by a Member of his Inner Circle....

Today we look at the energy stock that remains our best buy among oil and gas companies....

Today, we look at a value stock that has the potential for a strong rebound when oil and gas prices recover. Enerflex, an independent company since it was spun off by Toromont Industries (Toronto symbol TIH) in 2011, is a major supplier of equipment to the natural gas industry. A timely U.S. acquisition in 2014 has helped Enerflex generate positive earnings despite a decline in orders, and also enhances the company’s international growth prospects. And the dividend, which yields 3.2%, appears safe.

ENERFLEX LTD. (Toronto symbol EFX; www.enerflex.com) rents and sells equipment and services for natural gas production, including compression and processing plants, refrigeration gear and power generators.

On June 30, 2014, the company closed its $431- million U.S. acquisition of two businesses owned by privately held Axip Energy Services: an international contract compression and processing subsidiary and a division that provides aftermarket services.

In the three months ended June 30, 2015, Enerflex’s revenue fell 8.3%, to $389.7 million from $424.9 million a year earlier. But earnings per share more than doubled, to $0.34 from $0.15. International contributions from the Axip businesses pushed up earnings and almost offset weaker revenue in the U.S. and Canada. However, falling oil and gas prices are now hurting the company’s orders.

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Penny stock Semafo aims to multiply its gold production with a big West African acquisition—and we assess the opportunities and risks