A: Allied Gold Corp., $3.79, symbol AAUC on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 250.7 million; Market cap: $985.4 million; www.alliedgold.com), is a Canadian-based gold producer with three operating mines, a significant gold development project and exploration properties throughout Africa.

The company’s principal properties are the Sadiola gold mine in the Kayes region of West Mali (80% ownership), the Bonikro (90% ownership) and Agbaou (85% ownership) gold mines in Cote d’Ivoire, and the Kurmuk gold development project in Ethiopia (100% ownership).

Allied Gold was founded in 2011 as a private company....

A: Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Inc., $13.62, symbol BRE on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 9.5 million; Market cap: $128.2 million; www.bridgemarq.com), is a leading provider of services to residential real estate brokers and a network of 20,529 real estate agents.

The company operates in Canada under the Royal LePage, Via Capitale, and Johnston & Daniel brands....

A: Emerson Electric Co., $110.83, symbol EMR on New York, (Shares outstanding: 571.7 million; Market cap: $63.9 billion; www.emerson.com), is an industrial company with two main operating segments: Intelligent Devices (76% of revenue) and Software & Control (24%).

The Intelligent Devices division has four segments:

1) Final Control is a global provider of control valves, isolation valves, shutoff valves, pressure relief valves, pressure safety valves, actuators, and regulators for process and hybrid industries.

2) The Measurement & Analytical segment is a leading supplier of intelligent instrumentation measuring the physical properties of liquids and gases, such as pressure, temperature, level, flow, acoustics, corrosion, pH, conductivity, water quality, toxic gases, and flame.

3) The Discrete Automation segment includes solenoid valves, pneumatic valves, valve position indicators, pneumatic cylinders and actuators, air preparation equipment, pressure and temperature switches, electric linear motion solutions, programmable automation control systems and software used in discrete industries (specialty manufacturers).

4) The Safety & Productivity segment offers tools for professionals and homeowners.

The Software & Control division has three segments:

1) The Control Systems & Software segment provides control systems and software that manage plant processes by collecting and analyzing information from measurement devices in the plant and using that information to adjust valves, pumps, motors, drives and other control hardware for maximum efficiency and safety.

2) AspenTech is a global leader in asset optimization software that lets industrial manufacturers design and maintain their operations at maximum performance.

3) Test & Measurement....

When I hear from investors, they often ask what we do to produce the investment advice they get from our publications, and the portfolio management they get from Successful Investment Wealth Management Inc., our portfolio management affiliate. The short answer is that my research associates and I read a lot.

I personally read a large variety of publications and other reading materials, and take a skeptical view of all of it....

QUARTERHILL INC., $1.82, symbol QTRH on Toronto, is a provider of ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) solutions for operators of toll roads. Its tolling products manage over 1,500 toll lanes worldwide, generating over $3 billion in annual revenue for operators of these tolls.

In addition to its tolling products, it has developed solutions for enforcing the weight of commercial trucks, traffic management, and radar detection.

On March 15, 2024, the company announced it would acquire Red Fox I.D....

NORTH WEST COMPANY, $39.01, is a buy. The retailer (symbol NWC on Toronto) sells food, and everyday products and services through 227 stores. Those locations are mainly in northern communities across Canada and Alaska. Through your shares, you also tap the company’s operations in remote regions of Hawaii, the wider South Pacific and the Caribbean.

North West’s food offerings consist of perishable and non-perishable products including groceries, dairy, produce, meat, convenience foods, food service, home meal replacement, health and beauty aids, paper products and cleaning supplies....

PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., $155.33, New York symbol PG, is a buy.

The company is one of the world’s largest makers of household and personal-care goods. Major brands include Tide (laundry detergent), Pampers (diapers), Gillette (razors), Crest (toothpaste) and Vicks (cold remedies).

Procter will now raise your quarterly dividend by 7.0%....

WALMART INC., $60.14, New York symbol WMT, is a buy.

The company is the world’s biggest retailer, with over 10,500 outlets in 19 countries.

Walmart is also an investor in Ibotta Inc., a private firm that operates mobile and online apps that provide shoppers with special offers and the ability to earn cash rewards....

TC ENERGY INC., $49.73, Toronto symbol TRP, remains a buy.

TC generates steady cash flow for investors mainly through a 93,600-kilometre pipeline network that pumps natural gas from Alberta to eastern Canada and the U.S. Its other operations include 4,900 kilometres of crude oil pipelines and nine power plants.

The company has agreed to sell its stake in Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Holdings Ltd., which is planning to build a 900-kilometre natural gas pipeline in northern B.C....

If you’re like most investors, you should invest the major portion of your money in stocks from our Conservative Growth Portfolio....