Following a long series of acquisitions, WELL Health is now the largest private-sector operator of outpatient medical clinics in Canada. Despite acquisitional risk, the stock is less volatile than it might seem as the company gets most of its revenue from Canada’s healthcare sector, which is government-backed and recession resilient....

A: First Majestic Silver Corp., $10.50, symbol AG on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 484.1 million; Market cap: $4.9 billion; www.firstmajestic.com), is a silver and gold producer with four operating mines in Mexico and several exploration and development properties in Mexico and the U.S.

The company’s four mines in Mexico are as follows: the San Dimas silver/sold mine, the Santa Elena silver/gold mine, the La Encantada silver mine and the Cerro Los Gatos underground silver mine in Chihuahua (more on that mine below)....

Computer outsourcing specialist CGI Inc. has been a terrific performer for our subscribers since December 2007 when we promoted it to our Successful Investor newsletter. In fact, the stock has soared 1,195% compared to the 80% gain for the S&P/TSX Composite Index.

CGI shares hit a new all-time high of $175.35 on January 30, 2025, but they have since dropped 16.2% to the current level....

TRAVEL + LEISURE CO., $47.98, symbol TNL on New York, is still a buy. The company is the world’s largest vacation ownership and exchange company with nearly 20 travel brands across its resort, travel club, and lifestyle portfolio. In total, Travel + Leisure operates 245 timeshare resorts, with over 880,000 owners and more than 3.5 million paid member families.

Travel + Leisure’s revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2024, rose 3.9%, to $971 million from $935 million a year earlier....

POTBELLY CORP., $9.34, symbol PBPB on Nasdaq, is a neighbourhood sandwich concept offering toasted warm sandwiches, signature salads and other fresh menu items.

The company is focused on the quality of that food, but also aims to engage people with a dining environment reflective of its Potbelly brand....

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC., $43.57, New York symbol VZ, remains a buy.

The telecom provider is the second-largest wireless carrier in the U.S. after AT&T Inc (New York symbol T). It also sells traditional telephone lines, high-speed Internet and TV services.

The stock fell 6% this week after the company said it expects to sign fewer new cellphone subscribers to long-term contracts in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024.

That’s because its competitors are aggressively discounting their plans as customers delay buying new phones due to inflation and the current economic uncertainty....

TRANSCONTINENTAL INC., $18.61, Toronto symbol TCL.A, is a buy for long-term gains.

The company is Canada’s leading commercial printer. It also makes plastic packaging for consumer products.

Transcontinental last raised your quarterly dividend with the April 2020 payment....

RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, $18.52, Toronto symbol REI.UN, is a buy.

The REIT owns all or part of 186 shopping centres and other properties across Canada, including eight under development. Its occupancy rate is a high 97.8%.

The Hudson’s Bay Company, which operates 96 department stores in seven provinces, has filed for creditor protection as it restructures its debt....

ETFs in brief

Exchange-traded funds are set up to mirror the performance of a stock-market index or sub-index....

Physical gold and silver have been stellar performers over the past two decades even beating the S&P 500. And in fact, gold hit a new all-time high in February 2025 of $2,974 U.S. an ounce. Gold has also been much less volatile than the stock markets.


Investors shouldn’t overindulge in any one investment, and that includes gold, silver, platinum or any other precious metals....