MIDDLEBY CORP., $154.15, symbol MIDD on Nasdaq, designs, manufactures, markets, distributes and services a broad line of (i) foodservice equipment for all types of commercial restaurants and institutional kitchens, (ii) food preparation, cooking, baking, chilling and packaging equipment for food-processing operations, and (iii) premium kitchen equipment, including ranges, ovens, refrigerators, ventilation, dishwashers and outdoor cooking equipment, primarily used in the residential market.

The company owns over 120 brands, including TurboChef, Follett, Star, Viking Range, AGA, and Armor Inox.

Founded in 1888 as a manufacturer of baking ovens, Middleby Marshall Oven Company was acquired in 1983 by TMC Industries Ltd., a publicly traded company that changed its name in 1985 to The Middleby Corporation.

Middleby has made several successful acquisitions over the last few years.

Most recently, on February 7, 2024, the company announced the acquisition of GBT GmnH Bakery Technology....

LOBLAW COMPANIES LTD., $145.13, Toronto symbol L, is a buy.

The company operates 1,104 supermarkets under several banners, including Loblaws, Zehrs, Provigo, Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills.

In March 2014, it purchased the Shoppers Drug Mart chain for $12.3 billion in cash and shares....

EBAY INC., $48.05, Nasdaq symbol EBAY, is still a buy for long-term gains.

The company operates e-commerce websites, in over 190 countries, where sellers pay fees to auction items or offer them at fixed prices.

eBay reported better-than-expected results for the fourth quarter of 2023, thanks to higher volumes over the Christmas holidays and improving advertising revenue.

Revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2023, rose 2.1%, to $2.56 billion from $2.51 billion a year earlier....

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, $131.94, Toronto symbol RY, is a buy.

Due to concerns over rising interest rates and inflation, Canada’s largest bank by market cap continues to set aside more funds to cover potential loan losses.

In its fiscal 2024 first quarter, ended January 31, 2024, loan-loss provisions jumped 52.8%, to $813 million from $532 million a year earlier.

That’s mainly why Royal’s earnings before unusual items in the quarter fell 5.0%, to $4.01 billion from $4.22 billion....

The federal government’s tax on income-trust distributions took effect on January 1, 2011....

NEWMONT CORP., $29.87, remains a buy for long-term growth and as a hedge against inflation. The company (New York symbol NEM; Shares o/s: 1.2 billion; Market cap: $34.4 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Yield: 3.4%; www.newmont.com) completed its acquisition of Newcrest Mining in November 2023....

TC ENERGY INC., $55.39, is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol TRP; Shares o/s: 1.0 billion; Market cap: $55.3 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 7.2%; www.tcenergy.com) operates a pipeline network that pumps natural gas from Alberta to eastern Canada and the U.S....

GLOBAL X COPPER MINERS ETF, $35.55, is a buy. The ETF (New York symbol COPX; buy or sell through brokers; www.globalxfunds.com) lets you track the Solactive Global Copper Miners Index, with 38 global mining and exploration firms....

Most precious-metal stocks dropped, along with the market, in March 2020. They then quickly reversed that trend to soar for investors, in part because of gold’s appeal as a “safe harbour” in times of economic uncertainty. In fact, in August 2020, gold jumped to over $2,000 U.S....

POWER CORP., $38.91, is a buy. The conglomerate (Toronto symbol POW; Shares o/s: 600.8 million; Market cap: $25.5 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 5.4%) owns 61.8% of IGM Financial (symbol IGM on Toronto).


IGM has two main businesses: Mackenzie Financial sells funds and ETFs through independent brokers; and IG Wealth Management (formerly Investors Group) offers mutual funds and other services through 3,000 affiliated advisors.


IGM has now invested an undisclosed sum in Nesto Inc....