Pat: What is your current recommendation on Progressive Waste Solutions? I would like to know your thoughts on this company and whether or not this stock should be held.

Progressive Waste Solutions, $21.15, symbol BIN on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 115.2 million; Market cap: $2.4 billion; www.progressivewaste.com), changed its name from IESI-BFC in May 2011. IESI-BFC was called BFI Canada until June 1, 2009, when it merged with its wholly owned subsidiary, IESI-BFC Ltd.

In Canada,… Read More

Hi Pat: A tech stock investor I know has just bought a significant position in Dell. In part, he sees Dell as a near-term play on Microsoft’s Windows 8 launch. The stock pays a reasonable dividend, is profitable and is trading at a low. What is your assessment?

Dell Inc., $9.19, symbol DELL on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 1.7 billion; Market cap: $15.6 billion; www.dell.com), makes desktop and laptop computers, servers and related accessories, such as monitors, printers and keyboards. Computer hardware accounts for 80% of its sales. The remaining 20% comes from computer-related… Read More

Hi Pat: What is your opinion and recommendation on HollyFrontier Corp.? Are potential goodwill writedowns a problem for this growing company? Many thanks.

HollyFrontier, $38.03, symbol HFC on New York (Shares outstanding: 203.6 million; Market cap: $7.7 billion; www.hollyfrontier.com), is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners in the U.S. The company was formed when Holly Corporation bought Frontier Oil for $2.9 billion in July 2011.

HollyFrontier produces and… Read More

Hi Pat. I love the information you give everyone to help educate us in all things financial. I am wondering about a company: Boyd Group Income Fund. Is it a good buy?

Boyd Group Income Fund, $11.85, symbol BYD.UN on Toronto (Units outstanding: 10.8 million; Market cap: $123.9 million; www.boydgroup.com), operates 66 auto-collision repair centres in western Canada and 13 U.S. states. These shops operate under a number of banners, including Boyd Autobody & Glass, Gerber Collision… Read More