acquisition

A: NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT, $9.73, symbol NWH.UN on Toronto (Units outstanding: 160.1 million; Market cap: $1.7 billion; www.nwhreit.com), owns and operates a portfolio of medical office buildings (50%) as well as hospital and healthcare facilities (50%)....

A: Gilead Sciences Inc., $75.33, symbol GILD on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $95.6 billion; www.gilead.com), is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines for a variety of conditions and diseases....

CAE Inc. is a long-time favourite of ours, and has been a top performer for our subscribers—until COVID-19 came along. The stock suffered more than many others, plunging from a February peak above $42 to a March low under $15. That’s because CAE, as a provider of simulator training for pilots, serves the airline business, which felt the impact more than other industries....

GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $24 remains a hold. The company (Toronto symbol GWO; Conservative Growth Payer Portfolio, Finance sector; shares outstanding: 928.9 million; Market cap: $22.3 billion; Dividend yield: 7.3%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.greatwestlifeco.com) is Canada’s second-largest life insurer, after Manulife Financial....

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER INC. $98 remains a buy. This company (New York symbol SWK; Conservative-Growth Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 154.0 million; Market cap: $15.1 billion; Dividend yield: 2.8%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.stanleyblackanddecker.com) started up in 1843 and is now one of the world’s largest makers of hand and power tools for consumers....

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many companies are now shifting their annual shareholder meetings away from physical locations to the Internet. Even after the current crisis ends, it’s likely many firms will continue these “virtual” meetings.


That’s good news for Broadridge investors, as it helps businesses better communicate with shareholders and count up proxy votes....

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. $50 remains a buy. The company (New York symbol VZ; Income-Growth Dividend Portfolio, Utilities sector, Shares o/s: 4.1 billion; Market cap: $205.0 billion; Dividend yield: 4.9%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.verizon.com) raised the dividend for its investors by 2.1% with the November 2019 payment....

TELUS CORP. $21 is a buy. This leading telecom company (Toronto symbol T; Income-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $27.3 billion; Dividend yield: 5.5%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.telus.com) rewarded its investors with a 3.6% increase to its quarterly dividend with the January 2020 payment....

As demand for their traditional products slows due to changing consumer tastes, Saputo and Molson are cutting their costs. Those savings will help them develop new products, and let them keep raising your dividends.


SAPUTO INC. $33 is still a hold. The company (Toronto symbol SAP; High-Growth Payer Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares o/s: 408.0 million; Market cap: $13.5 billion; Dividend yield: 2.1%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.saputo.com) is a leading dairy producer....

The COVID-19 outbreak will slow the growth of these top insurance companies, particularly in Asia. The shock to their investment portfolios will also limit their earnings.


However, both firms should rebound quickly once the outbreak eases. That should also let them keep raising your dividends.


MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP....