2016

Wells Fargo is updated and rated (higher) Buy at $48.82.
The recent markets declines are surely a distraction. But given that overall market declines are unpredictable there is really nothing to be done about the market decline. Investors are suppose...

We are just two weeks into the new year but it feels longer.
On Friday, the S&P 500 was down 2.2% for a total decline this new year of 8.0%. And, Toronto was down 2.1% bringing its decline for the new year to 7.2%.
Many stocks continue to decline...

On Thursday, the market had its first significantly positive day of the new year. The S&P 500 was up 1.7% and Toronto was up 1.4%.
J.P. Morgan's earnings were better than expected which may bode well for Wells Fargo's numbers due out on Friday mo...

The 2016 market slump continued on Wednesday. The S&P 500 was down 2.5% and Toronto was down 1.6%.
Almost all the stocks on our list were down today.
So far this month, the S&P 500 is down 7.5% and Toronto is down 6.5%.
Rate reset preferred s...

On Tuesday, the S&P 500 ended the day up 0.8% and Toronto was up 0.4%.
Oil dipped under $30 and is currently at $30.75. The Canadian dollar dipped under 70 U.S. cents and is now at 70.23.
Winning stocks today included Dollarama, up 3.5% and Wells...

On Monday the S&P ended the day up 0.1% while Toronto was down 1.0%.
Oil was down 6% to about U.S. $31 for West Texas Intermediate.
The Canadian dollar is at 70.3 cents U.S.
Most stocks with an oil or Alberta connection fell today including Melco...

According to Standard and Poors, Q4 earnings for the 500 S&P 500 companies are expected to rise some 21% on average on a GAAP basis and 8% on an adjusted or operating basis compared to Q4 2014. That would be very welcome news especially since Q3 ...

Friday marked the end of an ugly week in the markets.
The S&P was down another 1.1% while Toronto was about flat for the day.
Dollarama was down 3.8% to $73.69.
I am starting to see a lot of stories about price increases in Canada. The low Canadi...

Thursday was another negative day for stocks with the S&P 500 down 2.4% and Toronto down 2.2%.
Walmart remained one of the few stocks on the rise and was up 2.3% to $65.03.
Melcor was up 4.7% to $13.99 but that was based on just 200 shares tradin...

On Wednesday, the markets took a hit from North Korea's test of a nuclear bomb.
The S&P 500 was down 1.4% and Toronto was down 1.5%. Oil was down 5.5% and the Canadian dollar was down 0.7%.
A few stocks on our list managed to rise including Walma...

On Tuesday the S&P 500 rose 0.2% while Toronto fell 0.1%.
Stocks on the move included Walmart, up 2.4%.
However most stocks fell including AutoCanada down 4.0%.
I added to my position in the Canadian Western Bank preferred share and also bought 1...

Stock markets in 2016 have started off on a negative footing. On Monday, the S&P 500 fell 1.5% while Toronto was down 0.6%.
One bright spot on our list was AutoCanada which was up 3.5%. Also two of our four Strong Buys were up slightly as TransFo...

Our stock ratings as of today along with the closing 2015 prices will be used to track our performance in 2016. While we rate stocks all through the year we have always tracked performance on  calendar year basis. For that reason, a special effort ha...

Alimentation Couche-Tard is updated and rated (lower) Buy at $60.91. This is one of Canada's very best managed companies. The only problem has been that the stock has often looked over-valued. At this time the valuation appears to be more reasonable ...

I will have a few more updates before the Markets open on Monday and the fun begins again for another year.
 
 
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2015 was a poor year for the Canadian Stock market, with the TSX down 11.1%. Our own stock picks were down 10.5% on average although the two Strong Buy picks were down 27%. While it is not directly comparable because it includes dividends and currenc...