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SYMANTEC CORP. $24.28 (Nasdaq symbol SYMC; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (408-517-8000; www.symantec.com; Shares outstanding: 692.7 million; Market cap: $16.7 billion; Dividend yield: 2.5%) sells computer-security technology, including anti-virus and email-filtering software, to businesses and consumers. It also offers data-archiving software.

In its fiscal 2015 first quarter, which ended July 4, 2014, Symantec’s earnings rose 0.6%, to $313 million from $311 million a year earlier. Per-share earnings gained 2.3%, to $0.45 from $0.44, on fewer shares outstanding. Revenue rose 1.5%, to $1.74 billion from $1.71 billion.

The gains were mostly due to savings from a new restructuring plan that includes job cuts and simplifying product lines. In addition, Symantec separated its sales force into two groups: one focuses on winning new clients, and the other serves existing customers.

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NISSAN MOTOR (ADR) $19.56 (Nasdaq symbol NSANY; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average) (310-771-3111; www.nissan-global.com; Shares outstanding: 2.3 billion; Market cap: $44.2 billion; No dividends paid) is Japan’s second-largest automaker, after Toyota.

In its fiscal 2015 first quarter, which ended June 30, 2014, the company earned 112.1 billion yen ($1.1 billion U.S., or $0.49 per ADR), up 36.7% from 82.0 billion yen ($804.4 million U.S., or $0.36) a year earlier.

Revenue rose 10.8%, to 2.47 trillion yen ($24.1 billion U.S.) from 2.23 trillion yen ($21.8 billion). That’s because Nissan sold 1.24 million vehicles in the latest quarter, up 6.0% from a year earlier.

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DELPHI ENERGY $4.27 (Toronto symbol DEE; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (403-265-6171; www.delphienergy.ca; Shares outstanding: 155.2 million; Market cap: $670.6 million; No dividends paid) develops, produces and explores for oil and natural gas. About 67% of its output is gas. The remaining 33% is oil.

In the three months ended June 30, 2014, the company’s production rose 36.2%, to 10,397 barrels of oil equivalent a day from 7,635 barrels a year earlier.

Cash flow per share jumped to $0.09 from $0.05. The production increase was the main reason for the gain. The company also realized higher prices for its oil and gas in the latest quarter.

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BIRCHCLIFF ENERGY $11.92 (Toronto symbol BIR; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (403-261-6401; www.birchcliffenergy.com; Shares outstanding: 145.9 million; Market cap: $1.7 billion; No dividends paid) develops, produces and explores for oil and gas, mainly in the Peace River Arch area near the Alberta/B.C. border. About 83% of its output is gas. The remaining 17% is oil.

In the three months ended June 30, 2014, Birchcliff’s production rose 29.1%, to 31,178 barrels of oil equivalent per day from 24,141 barrels a year earlier. Cash flow per share jumped 79.3%, to $0.52 from $0.29, on the increased output and higher oil and gas prices.

In 2012, Birchcliff completed Phase III of its gas plant expansion in Pouce Coupe, Alberta. This project doubled the facility’s capacity and is letting the company bring the additional gas it is now producing to market.

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MAJOR DRILLING $8.42 (Toronto symbol MDI; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (1-866-264-3986; www.majordrilling.com; Shares outstanding: 79.2 million; Market cap: $666.7 million; Dividend yield: 2.4%) has agreed to buy privately held Taurus Drilling Services for $27.7 million, plus a further $11.5 million tied to performance.

Taurus, which operates in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, performs underground longhole drilling for mining firms. Longhole drilling is used in operating mines to drill holes for various purposes, including blasting, drainage and providing electrical service and ventilation.

The acquisition looks like a great fit for Major, because it lets the company expand into mine-production drilling. That’s important, because it reduces Major’s focus on exploration drillers, which depend on volatile commodity markets for financing.

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CARFINCO FINANCIAL GROUP $8.38 (Toronto symbol CFN; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (1-888-486-4356; www.carfinco.com; Shares outstanding: 26.5 million; Market cap: $224.2 million; Dividend yield: 5.7%) provides car loans to consumers who don’t meet the criteria of banks and other traditional lenders.

In September 2013, Carfinco expanded into the U.S. through its $9.5-million purchase of Persian Acceptance Corp., an automotive lender that also caters to less-affluent borrowers. The acquisition boosted Carfinco’s loans outstanding by about 22%.

In the three months ended June 30, 2014, the company’s revenue rose 24.5%, to $24.3 million from $19.5 million a year earlier. Carfinco loaned $54.0 million in the quarter, up 26.9% from $42.6 million.

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INTACT FINANCIAL CORP. $74.47 (Toronto symbol IFC; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (416-341-1464; www.intactfc.com; Shares outstanding: 131.5 million; Market cap: $9.7 billion; Dividend yield: 2.6%) is Canada’s largest provider of property and casualty insurance, based on premiums. Its brands include Intact Insurance, Canada BrokerLink, belairdirect and Grey Power.

In the three months ended June 30, 2014, Intact’s revenue was virtually unchanged from a year earlier, at $2.17 billion. The company earned $210 million, or $1.60 a share, up sharply from $98 million, or $0.73.

However, the year-earlier results include a pre-tax loss of $143 million, mostly related to storms and flooding in southern Alberta. Similar losses in the 2014 quarter were just $33 million.

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DREAM OFFICE REIT $29.07 (Toronto symbol D.UN; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (416-365-3535; www.dundeereit.com; Units outstanding: 104.6 million; Market cap: $3.1 billion; Dividend yield: 7.7%) (formerly Dundee REIT) owns and manages 24.5 million square feet of office and retail space in major cities across Canada.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Dream’s revenue rose 3.1%, to $204.4 million from $198.2 million a year earlier. The trust continues to renew expiring leases at higher rates.

Cash flow gained 2.7%, to $61.0 million from $59.4 million, while cash flow per unit rose 4.9%, to $0.64 from $0.61, on more units outstanding.

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MITEL NETWORKS $10.83 (Toronto symbol MNW; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (613-592-2122; www.mitel.ca; Shares outstanding: 99.4 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion; No dividends paid) has reported its second quarter of results that include Aastra Technologies, a Stock Pickers Digest recommendation Mitel acquired in a friendly takeover on January 31, 2014. Aastra shareholders received cash and Mitel shares.

During the quarter, Mitel’s revenue rose 96.9%, to $288.7 million from $146.6 million a year ago (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars). Most of the increase came from Aastra.

Without one-time items, earnings jumped 124.2%, to $22.2 million from $9.9 million. However, earnings per share rose just 16.7%, to $0.21 from $0.18, as the company issued new shares to pay for Aastra Technologies.

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STUART OLSON INC. $10.01 (Toronto symbol SOX; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (780-454-3667; www.stuartolson.com; Shares outstanding: 24.9 million; Market cap: $270.0 million; Dividend yield: 4.8%) (formerly The Churchill Corp.) provides building-construction, commercial and industrial electrical contracting, earthmoving and industrial insulation services to government and private sector clients. It mainly operates in Western Canada.

In the three months ended June 30, 2014, the company earned $1.4 million, or $0.06 a share, excluding one-time items. A year earlier, it made just $485,000, or $0.02 a share.

Revenue rose 20.2%, to $334.0 million from $277.8 million, thanks to rising construction activity in Western Canada.

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TIM HORTONS $66.99 (Toronto symbol THI; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (905-845-6511; www.timhortons.com; Shares outstanding: 134.3 million; Market cap: $9.1 billion; Dividend yield: 1.9%) is up 11%, near all-time highs, since reporting better-than-expected quarterly results on August 6.

In the three months ended June 29, 2014, Tim Hortons’ revenue rose 9.3%, to $874.3 million from $800.1 million a year earlier. That beat the consensus forecast of $843.3 million.

Same-store sales rose 2.6% at its Canadian locations and 5.9% in the U.S. These gains were mainly due to successful new menu items.

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RUSSEL METALS $37.45 (Toronto symbol RUS; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (905-819-7777; www.russelmetals.com; Shares outstanding: 61.4 million; Market cap: $2.3 billion; Dividend yield: 4.1%) is one of North America’s largest metal distributors. It serves 39,000 clients at 53 locations in Canada and 12 in the U.S.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Russel’s revenue rose 17.8%, to $893.3 million from $758.1 million a year earlier. Higher demand and selling prices pushed up revenue at its metal services business by 11%. The energy tubular products division, which supplies pipes for oil and gas exploration and development, saw its revenue rise 17%.

Earnings gained 53.3%, to $30.5 million, or $0.50 a share. A year earlier, the company earned $19.9 million, or $0.33. Russel has invested in new plants and processing equipment over the past three years, which has cut its costs and improved its efficiency. That’s paying off with higher profits.

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DEVON ENERGY CORP. $78.50 (New York symbol DVN; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (405-235- 3611; www.dvn.com; Shares outstanding: 407.9 million; Market cap: $31.9 billion; Dividend yield: 1.2%) is one of the largest U.S.-based oil and natural gas explorers and producers. Its production mix is 53% gas and 47% oil.

In 2011, Devon sold all of its international and Gulf of Mexico properties, which it saw as risky and expensive to develop.

The company is narrowing its focus even further with its recent agreement to sell some of its properties to Linn Energy LLC for $2.3 billion. The sale includes Devon’s holdings in the Rockies, the onshore Gulf Coast and the Mid-Continent region (which includes Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas).

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Pat McKeough responds to many requests from members of his Inner Circle for advice on specific stocks, as well as questions on investment strategy and the economy. Every week, his comments and recommendations on the most intriguing questions of the past week go out to all Inner Circle members. And each week we offer you a report on one of the stocks profiled in these Q&A sessions. We give you Pat’s buy-hold-sell recommendation as well as his analysis of the stock. This is part of our new approach offering you regular and specific buy, hold and sell advice in our daily posts. Every week you’ll get “A Stock to Sell” on Monday, “Best Canadian Stocks” on Tuesday, and “Our Top U.S. Stocks” on Thursday. This week an Inner Circle member asked us about one of the top tech stocks competing for market share in online search and content. Two years ago, Yahoo hired a new president and CEO away from rival Google to help the company make up lost ground against Google and Facebook. Pat examines the measures Marissa Mayer has taken to improve Yahoo’s competitive position. He also discusses Yahoo’s big stake in Alibaba, the Chinese “Amazon.com”, and the impact that company’s upcoming IPO will have on Yahoo’s prospects. Q: I would like your evaluation on the prospects for Yahoo. Thank you....

Every Thursday we bring you “Our Top U.S. Stocks” as our daily post. In these new posts, you’ll get our specific recommendation on the stocks we profile, with a full explanation of how we arrived at our opinion. You will read about stocks making moves you should know about covered in our newsletter on U.S. investing, Wall Street Stock Forecaster. “Our Top U.S. Stocks” is part of our new approach offering you regular buy, hold and sell advice in our daily posts. Every week you get “A Stock to Sell” on Monday, “Best Canadian Stocks” on Tuesday and on Friday, our advice on one of the stocks our Inner Circle members have asked about in their weekly Question & Answer sessions FEDEX CORP. (New York symbol FDX; www.fedex.com) delivers packages and documents in the U.S. and over 220 other countries through its fleet of 650 planes and over 108,000 trucks and other surface vehicles....

Every Tuesday we bring you “Best Canadian Stocks” as our daily post. In these new posts, you’ll get our specific recommendation on the stocks we profile, with a full explanation of how we arrived at our opinion. You’ll read about stocks making moves that are profiled in one of our three newsletters featuring Canadian stocks—The Successful Investor, Stock Pickers Digest and Canadian Wealth Advisor. “Best Canadian Stocks” is part of our new approach offering you regular buy, hold and sell advice in our daily posts. Every week you get “A Stock to Sell” on Monday, “Our Top U.S. Stocks” on Thursday and on Friday, our advice on one of the stocks our Inner Circle members have asked about in their weekly Question & Answer sessions. LINAMAR CORP. (Toronto symbol LNR; www.linamar.com) survived the 2008 financial crisis, plus the bankruptcies of GM and Chrysler. The company has emerged stronger than ever, and we’ve now upgraded its TSINetwork Rating from “Extra Risk” to “Average.” (See below for a description of how we award our TSINetwork ratings.)...

Every Monday we now feature “A Stock to Sell” as our daily post. With each sell, we give you a full explanation of why we advise against investing in these stocks. This is part of our new approach offering you buy, hold and sell advice in our daily posts. You also get “Best Canadian Stocks” on Tuesday, “Our Top U.S. Stocks” on Thursday, and every Friday, our advice on one of the stocks that members of Pat’s Inner Circle have asked about in their weekly Question & Answer sessions. Rite Aid (symbol RAD on New York; www.riteaid.com), is one of the largest drugstore chains in the U.S., with 4,623 outlets in 31 states and Washington, D.C....

Beginning today, we launch Our Top U.S. Stocks, a feature which will appear every Thursday as our daily post. We are also launching a new approach—you will get our specific advice on whether to buy, hold or sell the stocks we profile, with a full explanation of how we arrived at our opinion. You will read about stocks making moves you should know about covered in our newsletter on U.S. investing, Wall Street Stock Forecaster. On Monday, look for our new weekly feature on stocks we believe investors should avoid, A Stock to Sell. YUM! BRANDS INC. (New York symbol YUM; www.yum.com) has 40,324 fast-food restaurants in over 110 countries. Its main banners include KFC (fried chicken), Pizza Hut and Taco Bell (Mexican food). Franchisees operate 80% of these outlets....

PENGROWTH ENERGY $7.35 (Toronto symbol PGF; Shares outstanding: 527.5 million; Market cap: $3.9 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Dividend yield: 6.5%; www.pengrowth.com) produces oil and natural gas in Western Canada and off the Nova Scotia coast. Gas accounts for 55% of its production; the other 45% is oil.

Pengrowth produced 75,102 barrels a day (including gas) in the first quarter of 2014, down 16.3% from 89,702 a year earlier. That’s mainly because it sold several less important oil and gas properties in Western Canada. It’s investing the proceeds in more promising projects, including its Lindbergh oil sands development in Alberta’s Cold Lake region.

The company’s cash flow fell 6.9%, to $0.27 a share from $0.29.

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ENBRIDGE INC. $50.81 (Toronto symbol ENB; Shares outstanding: 834.8 million; Market cap: $4242 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 2.8%; www.enbridge.com) has won approval from Ottawa for its Northern Gateway pipeline.

The line will pump crude from Alberta’s oil sands to Kitimat, B.C. From there, tankers would ship the oil to customers in Asia.

It will cost $7.9 billion to build this project. However, that estimate is sure to rise as other oil sands and pipeline projects drive up labour and material costs.

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SPDR S&P CHINA ETF $76.51 (New York symbol GXC; buy or sell through brokers; www.spdrs.com) aims to track the S&P China BMI Index, which is made up of all publicly traded Chinese stocks available to foreign investors. Right now, this ETF holds 269 stocks.

The $841.1-million fund’s top holdings are Tencent Holdings, 8.5%; China Construction Bank, 6.0%; Industrial & Commercial Bank, 5.3%; China Mobile, 5.2%; Baidu, 5.2%; Bank of China, 3.4%; CNOOC Ltd., 2.9%; PetroChina, 2.8%; China Petroleum & Chemical, 2.4%; and China Life, 2.0%.

The ETF was launched on March 19, 2007. It has a 0.59% MER and yields 2.5%.

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POWERSHARES QQQ ETF $94.06 (Nasdaq symbol QQQQ; buy or sell through brokers; www.invescopowershares.com), formerly called Nasdaq 100 Trust Shares, holds stocks that represent the Nasdaq 100 Index, which consists of the 100 largest shares on the Nasdaq exchange, based on market cap.

The Nasdaq 100 Index contains shares of companies in a number of major industries, including computer hardware and software, telecommunications, retail/wholesale trade and biotechnology. It does not contain financial companies. The fund’s expenses are about 0.20% of its assets.

The index’s highest-weighted stocks are Apple, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Google, Cisco Systems, Intel, Amazon.com, Gilead Sciences, Comcast Corp. and Facebook.

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SPDR DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ETF $169.58 (New York symbol DIA; buy or sell through brokers; www.spdrs.com) holds the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

The SPDR Dow Jones ETF’s top holdings are Visa, IBM, Goldman Sachs Group, ExxonMobil, Chevron, 3M, McDonald’s, Caterpillar, United Technologies and Boeing. The fund’s expenses are about 0.17% of its assets.

SPDR Dow Jones ETF is a buy.

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SPDR S&P 500 ETF $197.12 (New York symbol SPY; buy or sell through brokers; www.spdrs.com) holds the stocks in the S&P 500 Index, which consists of 500 major in U.S. companies that are chosen based on their market cap, liquidity and industry group.

The index’s highest-weighted stocks are Apple, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, J.P. Morgan Chase, IBM, Chevron, General Electric, Pfizer, Berkshire Hathaway, Verizon, Wells Fargo and AT&T. The fund’s expenses are just 0.10% of its assets.

If you want exposure to the S&P 500 Index, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF is a buy.

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ISHARES S&P/TSX 60 INDEX FUND $21.94 (Toronto symbol XIU; buy or sell through brokers; ca.ishares.com) is a good low-fee way to buy the top stocks on the TSX. The units are made up of stocks that represent the S&P/TSX 60 Index, which consists of the 60 largest, most heavily traded stocks on the exchange. Expenses are just 0.17% of assets.

The index mostly consists of high-quality companies. However, it must ensure that all sectors are represented, so it holds a few we wouldn’t include.

The index’s top holdings are Royal Bank, 8.1%; TD Bank, 7.4%; Bank of Nova Scotia, 6.4%; Suncor Energy, 4.8%; CN Railway, 4.2%; Canadian Natural Resources, 3.9%; Bank of Montreal, 3.7%; Enbridge, 3.1%; Valeant Pharmaceuticals, 3.0%; Manulife Financial, 2.9%; CIBC, 2.8%; BCE, 2.7%; TransCanada Corp., 2.6%; Potash Corp., 2.5%; CP Rail, 2.2%; and Cenovus, 1.9%.

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