investing

Here’s a recent question, and answer, from an Inner Circle member; it’s one that we feel bears repeating. The question, and answer, also addresses key issues about successful investing today—or in any market:

Q: Within the five economic sectors you advise for investing, should we also spread out our funds over some percentage of value, growth and small stocks?

A: If you take account of your own financial and personal circumstances and temperament, and if you invest as we advise (diversifying across most if not all of the five main economic sectors, while confining your investments mainly to well-established companies), you will almost automatically buy some growth stocks and some value stocks; you will also near automatically buy some small-company stocks and some big-company stocks.

However, the economic-sector diversification and overall investment quality of your portfolio are far more important than the relative amounts you invest in value, growth and small stocks.

In any event, it’s impossible to come up with a one-size-fits-all answer when talking about the best balance among value stocks, more aggressive small stocks and growth stocks (some of which can fall into more than one category)....

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an example of an investment idea that could boost your investment returns, or, more likely, end up costing you money. All in all, we think that the biggest, surest gains from AI will come from investing in established businesses that are already profitable and growing, and that can gain all the more by applying AI to their operations.


Here are two companies that are already profitably taking advantage of AI, and they should be among the leaders in the push to extend AI’s use:


FAIR ISAAC CORP., $1,755.26, is a buy. The company (New York symbol FICO; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (www.fairisaac.com; Shares outstanding: 24.4 million; Market cap: $42.9 billion; No divd.) is best known for its FICO Scores software....

DraftKings shares surged on the release of the company’s latest results. They show a continuing rise in the numbers of bettors joining the DraftKings’ platforms. Indeed, with its industry-leading technology, the company is well positioned to keep expanding its market share as the industry further grows....

Finning International’s shares have gained over 197% since the COVID-19 pandemic, as governments invested in new public infrastructure projects. That has increased demand for its construction equipment. New mining projects in Canada and South America have also spurred its growth.

The company’s customers operate in cyclical industries, which adds to its risk....

AstraZeneca is a major developer and distributor of pharmaceutical products. It’s also the largest holding in the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF.


The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange with a market value of $212 billion U.S.—comparable to the market values of Roche, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, and Johnson & Johnson....

We feel railway operator CPKC is in a good position to withstand the negative impact of a potential 25% U.S. tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. About a third of its freight volumes are necessary goods, such as grains and fertilizers, so tariffs aren’t likely to significantly impact those volumes.


Moreover, the company continues to realize the benefits of its 2023 acquisition of U.S....

Canadian penny stocks can be riskier than other investments, and if investors aren’t careful, early success can actually lead to a big loss.

Discover why investing in US Stocks helps Canadian investors diversify, minimize risks, and seize global growth opportunities in North America.

Market data and academic studies have established that quality companies perform better than the overall market over long periods....

Discover how to navigate FOREX trading risks, avoid costly speculation, and embrace a diversified investment strategy for more stable long-term gains.