Transformation cuts Thomson’s risk

THOMSON REUTERS CORP. $68 (Toronto symbol TRI; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 504.9 million; Market cap: $34.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.0; Dividend yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.thomsonreuters.com) recently sold 55% of its Financial & Risk (F&R) business to a consortium led by Blackstone… Read More

Alberta’s rail plan will benefit CN

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY CO. $106 (Toronto symbol CNR; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 728.3 million; Market cap: $77.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 5.6; Dividend yield: 1.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.cn.ca) recently signed a three-year contract to ship 50,000 to 60,000 barrels of Cenvous’s… Read More

Two energy producers, but just one is a buy

In response to weaker oil and natural gas prices, Encana has decided to aggressively expand in the U.S., while Cenovus is cutting its output.
We’re confident that both approaches will pay off. However, Encana’s big, newly announced acquisition increases its risk, which is why the stock… Read More

Great-West’s purchases raise profit and risk

GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $28 (Toronto symbol GWO; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; shares outstanding: 988.4 million; Market cap: $27.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.6; Dividend yield: 5.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.greatwestlifeco.com) is Canada’s second-largest insurance company, after Manulife Financial. It also offers mutual funds and… Read More

U.S. gains fuel BMO dividend hike

BANK OF MONTREAL $91 (Toronto symbol BMO; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 639.3 million; Market cap: $58.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.6; Dividend yield: 4.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.bmo.com) earned $1.53 billion in the quarter ended October 31, 2018. That’s up 16.8% from… Read More

Maple Leaf gets cash for new plant

MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC. $28 (Toronto symbol MFI; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 124.4 million; Market cap: $3.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.0; Dividend yield: 1.9%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.mapleleaffoods.com) sells fresh and prepared meats under the Maple Leaf and Schneider brands.
The company now plans to… Read More

RioCan completes key step

RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $25 (Toronto symbol REI.UN; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Units outstanding: 306.8 million; Market cap: $7.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 6.4; Dividend yield: 5.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.riocan.com) owns all or part of 250 shopping centres and other properties across Canada… Read More

Loblaw is now a pure-play retailer

Loblaw recently transferred its majority stake in Choice Properties REIT to its parent company, George Weston. As a result of that reorganization, Loblaw can now focus exclusively on expanding profits for its main retailing operations.
For example, the company recently launched a new enhanced delivery program… Read More

Updating Calian Group Ltd.

CALIAN GROUP LTD. $28 (Toronto symbol CGY; High-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding; 7.8 million; Market cap: $218.4 million; Dividend yield: 4.0%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.calian.com) has two main operations: Business and Technology Services (70% of revenue) provides clients with engineers, health-care… Read More