Although growth stock picks can be highly volatile, they can make good long-term investments. They may be well-known stars or quiet gems, but they do share one common attribute—they are growing at a higher-than-average rate within their industry, or within the market as a whole, and could keep growing for years or decades.
And keep in mind that we focus on growth stocks, which have a good long-term history and favourable prospects. We downplay momentum stocks that tend to attract many investors simply because they are moving faster than the market averages, but are liable to fall sharply when their momentum fades.
There’s room for growth stock investing in your portfolio, but make sure you follow our TSI Network three-part Successful Investor strategy for your overall portfolio:
- Invest mainly in well-established companies;
- Spread your money out across most if not all of the five main economic sectors (Manufacturing & Industry; Resources & Commodities; Consumer; Finance; Utilities);
- Downplay or avoid stocks in the broker/media limelight.
Make better stock picks when you read this FREE Special Report, Canadian Growth Stocks: WestJet Stock, RioCan Stock and More.
SYMANTEC CORP. $22.95 (Nasdaq symbol SYMC; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (650-527-8000; www.symantec.com; Shares o/s: 639.2 million; Market cap: $14.4 billion; Dividend yield: 1.3%) sells computer-security technology, including antivirus and email-filtering software, to both businesses as well as consumers....
SIERRA WIRELESS $16.98 (Toronto symbol SW; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (604-231-1100; www.sierrawireless.com; s/o: 36.1 million; Market cap: $617.2 million; No dividends paid) makes digital components that connect products, including smart electricity meters, automobiles, fleet and transit vehicles, and home security systems, to the Internet....
ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD $74.54 (Toronto symbol ATD.B: TSINetwork Rating: Average) (1-800-361-2612; www.couchetard.com; Shares o/s: 567.4 million; Market cap: $42.7 billion; Yield: 0.5%), together with Canopy Growth (symbol WEED on Toronto), has entered into a trademark licensing agreement with one winner of the Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission’s 25 cannabis retailer licences.
That lottery winner will operate a “Tweed” branded retail store in London, Ontario, starting on April 1....
We recommend most investors hold two to three of Canada’s Big Five banks; right now, our top two favourites are TD Bank and Bank of Nova Scotia.
We also advise adding non-bank stocks to your Finance sector holdings, including Great-West Lifeco and IGM Financial....