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One of the largest mountain resort companies in the world, Vail Resorts continues to grow. In 2017 it added Whistler Blackcomb, Canada’s largest ski resort, to its expanding portfolio of properties. Despite lower snowfalls, revenue and earnings are up thanks to success in selling season passes. Geographical diversion and high barriers to entry also help protect the company from weather risk.

A major international packaging firm, Canada’s CCL Industries has accelerated its growth through acquisitions, making nine since the start of 2016 alone. The company’s revenues and earnings have gained steadily in recent years, and it raised its dividend this year. The company also executed a five-for-one share split in the past year.

One of the best known brands in North America. Johnson & Johnson continues to be a profitable business and has raised its dividend for each of the past 55 years. The company gets almost half of its revenue from its pharmaceutical business and recently added to that business with a European acquisition. Although drug stocks entail risk from high costs and competition, the outlook for this stock remains positive.

The shares of Superior Plus Corp. yield a high 5.8% and trade at a low multiple to forecast cash flow, but the company faces risks. Demand for the company’s propane tends to shrink when lower natural gas prices encourage consumers to switch. Superior Plus has seen its revenues and earnings rise, but it also has high debt.

Canadian auto parts specialist Exco Technologies has grown by acquisition and has the strong balance sheet to continue expanding. The company’s growth depends on automobile sales in North American and vehicle production in Europe—and could be hindered if trade talks initiated by the Trump administration don’t go Canada’s way.

With its growth stalled in Alberta and an activist investor exerting pressure, Liquor Stores NA accepted a sizeable investment from Aurora Cannabis. The shares initially shot up in the wake of the marijuana deal, but there are still a number of challenges facing this big liquor store operator.

After several years of strong growth, Sleep Country Canada suffered a setback. Expensive advertising that failed to deliver and competition from online retailers hurt its earnings, but the company aims to recover, helped in part by the demise of Sears Canada.

Thanks to a system that lets companies repel cyberattacks without a blanket ban, Palo Alto Networks has a wide international clientele. Research spending and key acquisitions keep the company growing, but the stock is currently very expensive.

Between its payroll services and cloud-based human resource system for smaller U.S. businesses, Paychex Inc. keeps its customers coming back.

North America’s largest transit bus maker, Canada’s New Flyer Industries has rolled to strong growth, but could be slowed by NAFTA negotiations.