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Trading in futures is a necessity for farmers, but a risky business for most investors. Trading in futures is a long-established and perfectly

DEVON ENERGY CORP. (New York symbol DVN; www.dvn.com) is one of the largest U.S.-based oil and natural-gas explorers and producers. Its production mix is 65% gas and 35% oil. In May 2011, Devon completed the sale of its Brazilian operations for $3.2 billion. It has now sold all of its international and Gulf of Mexico properties, which it saw as risky and expensive to develop....

As the stock market rebounded in 2009 from one of the worst crises in years, Pat McKeough was invited by Jonathan Chevreau of the Financial Post to appear on his ‘Wealthy Boomer’ telecast. In a two-part interview, Pat aired his views on a wide variety of investment subjects. Now, with the stock market coming off last autumn’s lows, we think it’s an appropriate time to replay the interview. Pat discusses not only specific solutions for volatile markets, but also how his investment advice applies in all market conditions. Here is part two of the interview, entitled “Spreading investments” on YouTube. (View part one here: Pat McKeough’s investment ideas as shown on YouTube.)...

3M COMPANY $88 (New York symbol MMM; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 694.5 million; Market cap: $61.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.1; Dividend yield: 2.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.3m.com) makes over 55,000 different products. It was formerly known as Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing.

The company owns a range of well-known brands, including Post-it notes, Scotch tape, Scotch-Brite household cleaning products, Scotchguard protection and Thinsulate insulation.

3M has six main business segments: industrial and transportation (roughly 33% of sales and 31% of earnings), health care (17%, 22%), consumer and office (14%, 12%), safety, security and protection (13%, 12%), display and graphics (12%, 12%), and electronics and communications (11%, 11%).

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DIAGEO PLC ADRs $94 (New York symbol DEO; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; ADRs outstanding: 625.6 million; Market cap: $58.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.6; Dividend yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.diageo.com) continues see strong demand for its top brands, such as Smirnoff vodka, Johnnie Walker scotch whisky and Captain Morgan rum, in fast-growing markets like Latin America and Africa. The company now gets 40% of its sales from emerging markets.

In the six months ended December 31, 2011 (Diageo’s fiscal year ends June 30), the company’s revenue rose 8.2%, to 5.8 billion pounds from 5.3 billion pounds a year earlier (1 British pound = $1.57 Canadian). Due to an unusual tax charge, earnings per ADR fell 20.3%, to 1.53 pounds from 1.92 pounds a year earlier (each American Depositary Receipt represents four Diageo common shares). Without this charge, earnings would have risen 16.0%.

Diageo is a buy.

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GENERAL MILLS INC. $39 (New York symbol GIS, Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 644.7 million; Market cap: $25.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.6; Dividend yield: 3.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.generalmills.com) reports that sales of its cereals, soups and baking products are falling in the U.S. That’s making it hard for the company to pass along rising ingredient costs. Increasing competition is also forcing it to spend more on advertising.

As a result, General Mills now feels that it will earn $2.54 a share in its 2012 fiscal year, which ends May 31, 2012. That’s down from its earlier forecast of $2.60 a share. Even so, the stock trades at a reasonable at 15.4 times the new estimate. Moreover, the company continues to expand internationally, which cuts its risk.

General Mills is a buy.

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IDEXX LABORATORIES INC. $89 (Nasdaq symbol IDXX; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 55.1 million; Market cap: $4.9 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.0; No dividends paid; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.idexx.com) earned $2.78 a share in 2011, up 17.3% from $2.37 in 2010. Revenue rose 10.4%, to $1.2 billion from $1.1 billion.

Sales of the company’s Pro-Cyte Dx hematology analyzer, which processes animal blood tests in just two minutes, continue to rise. This device cuts veterinarians’ reliance on external labs and lowers their costs. Demand is also increasing in overseas markets. For example, Idexx recently received approval to market this device in Japan.

Idexx feels that its revenue will rise by 7% to 8% in 2012. However, the stock trades at 29.0 times the company’s likely 2012 earnings of $3.07 a share. That high p/e ratio makes the stock vulnerable to a sudden drop if Idexx fails to meet its revenue or earnings growth targets.

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BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP. $18 (New York symbol BGG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 49.8 million; Market cap: $896.4 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.4; Dividend yield: 2.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.briggsandstratton.com) is closing plants in Tennessee and the Czech Republic due to declining sales of lawn mowers and snow blowers. It will shift some the production from these plants to other facilities in the U.S. The company expects to complete these closures by May 2012.

These moves will cost Briggs between $50 million and $55 million. To put that in context, it earned $63.2 million, or $0.48 a share, in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. However, the closures should cut Briggs’ yearly costs by $18 million to $20 million.

Briggs & Stratton is a hold.

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FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORP. $4.59 (Nasdaq symbol FTR; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 995.1 million; Market cap: $4.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.9; Dividend yield: 8.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.frontier.com) sells telephone, high-speed Internet and video services to 5.3 million customers in 27 states.

The company has cut its quarterly dividend by 46.7%, to $0.10 a share from $0.1875. The new annual rate of $0.40 yields 8.7%. The cut should free up cash that Frontier can use to lower its $8.2-billion long-term debt, which is a high 1.8 times its market cap. It also needs to keep investing in its network upgrades.

Frontier is still a hold.

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VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. $38 (New York symbol VZ, Conservative Growth Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 2.8 billion; Market cap: $106.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.0; Dividend yield: 5.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.verizon.com) is the largest provider of wireless
services in the U.S., with 108.7 million subscribers. Wireless accounts for 63% of its revenue. It also has 24.1 million phone and Internet customers.

In 2011, Verizon added 6.3 million new wireless subscribers (net of deactivations) and 278,000 new high-speed Internet customers. These gains offset the loss of 1.9 million phone customers.

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AT&T INC. $30 (New York symbol T; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 5.9 billion; Market cap: $177.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.4; Dividend yield: 5.9%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.att.com) gets 50% of its revenue from its 103.2 million wireless customers. The other 50% mainly comes from its 39.0 million telephone clients and 16.4 million high-speed Internet users.

The company recently cancelled its plan to buy rival wireless carrier T-Mobile from Germany’s Deutsche Telekom AG; AT&T felt that competition regulators would have blocked the deal.

As a result, AT&T will pay Deutsche Telekom a $4-billion breakup fee, consisting of $3 billion in cash and $1 billion of wireless spectrum. That’s partly why AT&T’s earnings fell 80.1% in 2011, to $3.9 billion, or $0.66 a share. In 2010, it earned $19.9 billion, or $3.35 a share. Without unusual items, earnings per share would have fallen 3.9%, to $2.20 from $2.29.

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APACHE CORP. $110 (New York symbol APA; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 384.0 million; Market cap: $42.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.5; Dividend yield: 0.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.apachecorp.com) saw its revenue rise 39.7% in 2011, to $16.9 billion from $12.1 billion in 2010, due to higher oil prices and a 13.8% production increase. Earnings jumped 46.6%, to $4.7 billion from $3.2 billion.

Earnings per share rose 32.3%, to $11.83 from $8.94, on more shares outstanding. Apache also raised its dividend by 13.3%. The new annual rate of $0.68 yields 0.6%.

Apache is a buy.

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AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. $43 (New York symbol A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 347.5 million; Market cap: $14.9 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.2; Dividend yield: 0.9%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.agilent.com) makes testing systems that improve electronic products, such as cellphones. It also makes medical equipment that detects and measures substances in blood and other patient samples.

Agilent was a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard Co. until 1999, when Hewlett spun it off as a separate company.

In its 2012 first quarter, which ended January 31, 2012, Agilent’s revenue rose 7.6%, to $1.64 billion from $1.5 billion a year earlier. Strong gains from its life sciences division offset weaker demand for testing equipment. Agilent received $1.6 billion of new orders in the quarter, unchanged from a year ago.

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MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC. $50 (New York symbol MSI; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 325.5 million; Market cap: $16.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.9; Dividend yield: 1.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.motorolasolutions.com) took its current form on January 4, 2011, following the breakup of the old Motorola Inc. The company makes specialized equipment, including bar-code scanners and radios for emergency vehicles. Governments supply 65% of its revenue; the remaining 35% comes from businesses.

In 2011, Motorola Solutions earned $888 million, or $2.61 a share. That’s up 42.5% from $623 million, or $1.84 a share, in 2010. These figures exclude several unusual items, mainly costs related to the spinoff from Motorola Inc. Sales rose 7.7%, to $8.2 billion from $7.6 billion.

The company’s sales will likely rise by just 5% in 2012, due to slowing demand for its current wireless networking equipment and government budget cuts. However, Motorola Solutions continues to devote nearly 13% of its sales to research. This is helping it develop new products that take advantage of faster wireless technologies.

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SNAP-ON INC. $61 (New York symbol SNA; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 58.4 million; Market cap: $3.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.3; Dividend yield: 2.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.snapon.com) makes tools for auto mechanics. That puts the company in a great position to gain from rising car sales. Snap-On sells its products through a fleet of franchised vans that visit garages. It also makes specialized tools for mining companies, electrical power utilities and other industrial customers.

Snap-On’s revenue rose 11.1% in 2011, to $3.0 billion from $2.7 billion in 2010. Earnings rose 42.2%, to $265.2 million, or $4.52 a share, from $186.5 million, or $3.19 a share.

The company will spend $60 million to $70 million to expand and upgrade its operations in 2012. It’s particularly interested in growing in developing countries. Right now, it gets 59% of its revenue from North America.

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GENERAL MOTORS CO. $27 (New York symbol GM; Shares outstanding: 1.6 billion; Market cap: $43.2 billion; www.gm.com) completed its initial public offering in November 2011, selling 555 million shares at $33.00 each. The U.S. government still owns 32.3% of General Motors in the wake of the company’s bankruptcy and restructuring.

GM’s profits are rising again: in 2011, it earned $7.6 billion, or $4.58 a share, up 61.7% from $4.7 billion, or $2.89 a share, in 2010. Sales rose 10.8%, to $150.3 billion from $135.6 billion.

However, the company’s European operations continue to lose money: a total of $15.6 billion since 1999. As well, rigid union contracts will make it difficult for GM to restructure this business. That could delay the company’s plan to resume paying dividends.

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FORD MOTOR CO. $12 (New York symbol F; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 3.8 billion; Market cap: $45.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.4; Dividend yield: 1.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.ford.com) is the second-biggest carmaker in the U.S., and the world’s fifth-largest.

The company continues to benefit from its restructuring plan, which it implemented in 2005 to deal with its falling sales and market share. In the years since, Ford has sold its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury car divisions, closed factories and laid off workers.

In 2011, the company sold 5.7 million vehicles, up 7.2% from 5.3 million in 2010. Sales rose 11.3% in North America, 7.5% in Asia, 3.5% in South America and 1.8% in Europe. Ford now accounts for 16.5% of all car sales in the U.S., up from 16.4% in 2010. It also has 8.3% of the European market, down from 8.4% in 2010.

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HONDA MOTOR CO. LTD. ADRs $37 (New York symbol HMC; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 1.8 billion; Market cap: $66.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.7; Dividend yield: 2.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.honda.com) is Japan’s second-largest carmaker, and the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer.

Like Toyota, Honda has suffered setbacks due to the natural disasters in Japan and Thailand. In Honda’s fiscal 2012 third quarter, which ended December 31, 2011, its sales fell 3.5%, to $25.0 billion from $25.9 billion a year earlier. Honda sold 830,000 cars and trucks in the quarter, down 2.9% from 855,000 a year earlier. However, motorcycle sales rose 6.3%, to 3.1 million from 2.9 million.

Earnings fell 38.4%, to $613 million, or $0.34 per ADR, from $995 million, or $0.55 per ADR (each American Depositary Receipt represents one Honda common share).

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TOYOTA MOTOR CO. ADRs $84 (New York symbol TM; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 1.7 billion; Market cap: $142.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.7; Dividend yield: 1.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.toyota.com) is Japan’s largest automobile maker and the world’s second-biggest after General Motors. Toyota also makes industrial equipment, such as forklifts and prefabricated housing. Like most carmakers, it offers vehicle loans through its financing division.

The company is starting to recover from the disruptions caused by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the recent flooding in Thailand. Toyota sold 2.0 million vehicles in its fiscal 2012 third quarter, which ended December 31, 2011, up 9.3% from 1.8 million a year earlier.

As a result, its revenue rose 12.3%, to $63.2 billion from $56.3 billion. However, higher income taxes and unfavourable exchange rates cut its earnings by 6.8%, to $1.05 billion, or $0.61 per ADR, from $1.1 billion, or $0.65 per ADR. (Each American Depositary Receipt represents two Toyota common shares.)

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WAL-MART STORES INC. $59 (New York symbol WMT; Conservative Growth Portfolio: Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 3.4 billion; Market cap: $200.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.5; Dividend yield: 2.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.walmart.com) is buying 51% of Yihaodian, a Chinese company that sells groceries, clothing, consumer electronics and other goods over the Internet.

Wal-Mart did not say how much it is paying for this investment, but it already owns a minority stake in Yihaodian. This familiarity cuts the risk of an unpleasant surprise. As well, Wal-Mart’s expertise will help this company expand sales and cut costs. The deal should close later this year.

This is the latest in a series of acquisitions that have expanded Wal-Mart’s overseas operations. That’s helping it offset slower growth in the U.S., which accounts for 60% of its overall sales.

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VISA INC. $116 (New York symbol V; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 813.3 million; Market cap: $94.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 9.8; Dividend yield: 0.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.visa.com) operates the world’s largest retail electronic payments network. The company processes credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and PLUS brands.

Visa’s credit cards are accepted around the world. Visa/PLUS is one of the largest global automated teller machine networks, offering cash access in more than 200 countries.

The company first sold shares to the public at $44; it began trading on New York in March 2008.

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VISA INC. $116 (New York symbol V; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 813.3 million; Market cap: $94.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 9.8; Dividend yield: 0.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.visa.com) operates the world’s largest retail electronic payments network. The company processes credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and PLUS brands.

Visa’s credit cards are accepted around the world. Visa/PLUS is one of the largest global automated teller machine networks, offering cash access in more than 200 countries.

The company first sold shares to the public at $44; it began trading on New York in March 2008.

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Pat McKeough responds to many personal questions on specific stocks and other investing topics from the members of his Inner Circle. Every week, his comments and recommendations on a selection of the most intriguing questions of the past week go out to all Inner Circle members. And every Friday, we offer you one of the highlights from these Q&A sessions. This week, one Inner Circle member asked about one of the largest telecommunications firms on the world stock market. Pat looks at the prospects and potential pitfalls ahead for a company that seeks to expand its presence in international markets. ...

As the stock market rebounded in 2009 from one of the worst crises in years, Pat McKeough was invited by Jonathan Chevreau of the Financial Post to appear on his ‘Wealthy Boomer’ telecast. In a two-part interview, Pat aired his views on a wide variety of investment subjects. Now, with the stock market coming off last autumn’s lows, we think it’s an appropriate time to replay the interview, entitled “40 stocks to retire on” on YouTube. Pat discusses not only specific solutions for volatile markets, but also how his investment advice applies in all market conditions. Here is part one of the interview (part two will be posted on Monday, February 20).
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CGI GROUP INC. (Toronto symbol GIB.A; www.cgi.com) is Canada’s largest provider of computer outsourcing services. It also operates in 15 other countries. Canada and the U.S. each accounted for 47% of its revenue in the latest fiscal year; Europe and Asia supplied the remaining 6%. The company often uses acquisitions to fuel its growth. CGI’s most important purchase in the past few years was its $932.2-million acquisition of Stanley Inc. in September 2010. Stanley provides computer outsourcing services to military and civilian agencies of the U.S. government....