Precious metals offer diversification—and gains

Physical gold and silver have been strong performers over the past two decades even beating the S&P 500. Gold has also been much less volatile than the equity markets.
Investors shouldn’t overindulge in any one investment, and that includes gold, silver, platinum or any other precious… Read More

Q: What is your opinion of Parker-Hannifin? It seems to be a well-run company with a highly diversified product base.

A: Parker-Hannifin Corp., $373.91, symbol PH on NYSE (Shares outstanding: 128.4 million; Market cap: $47.2 billion; www.parker.com), is a global leader in providing motion and control technologies and solutions. Based in Cleveland, it operates in 45 countries across six continents.

The company’s range of industrial products… Read More

Here are 3 ways to gain from commodities

Commodity production is capital intensive with long development times. Producers face considerable costs to establish or replace mines, oilfields, and so on, or build processing, storage and transportation facilities. This means that the selling prices of their products can vary significantly from the time of… Read More

We think now is a great time for gold stocks

The price of gold has been on an upwards trajectory since it dropped to $1,050 U.S. an ounce in December 2015. It’s now 62% higher at $1,699. Still, that’s below the previous peak of $1,897 per ounce reached in September 2011. Meantime, gold stocks have… Read More

Q: Hi, Pat. Thank you for your wealth of investment knowledge over the years it has helped my family build a good financial foundation for the present and future. Please, tell us more about Real Matters Inc. (REAL) on Toronto. Look forward to your reply. Thanks.

A: Real Matters Inc., $11.85, symbol REAL on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 84.9 million; Market cap: $957.7 million; www.realmatters.com), provides technology and network management solutions to the mortgage lending and insurance industries in Canada and the U.S. The company is based in Markham, Ontario. Its clients… Read More

Q: Pat, may I have your thoughts on Dream Industrial REIT? This warehouse REIT appears to be a great way to gain exposure to the online shopping phenomenon.

A: Dream Industrial REIT, $7.98, symbol DIR.UN on Toronto (Units outstanding: 152.2 million; Market cap: $1.2 billion; www.dreamindustrialreit.ca), offers investors a  portfolio of industrial properties in North America and Europe.

The REIT, originally named Dundee Industrial REIT, first sold units to the public and began trading… Read More