Sasol connects with IoT

SASOL LTD. (ADR) $37.44 (New York symbol SSL; Extra Risk) (082-883-9697; www.sasol.com; ADRs o/s: 650.6 million; Market cap: $22.4 billion; Dividend yield: 2.2%) is South Africa’s third-largest coal producer and is the world’s largest maker of fuel from coal. It also produces chemicals, and oil and gas.
Sasol continues… Read More

AGT needs better prices

AGT FOOD & INGREDIENTS $14.87 (Toronto symbol AGT; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (604-231-1100; www.agtfoods.com; Shares o/s: 24.2 million; Market cap: $360.4 million; Divd. yield: 4.0%) continues to feel the negative impact of low worldwide prices for lentils. That’s due to bumper crops and the resulting oversupply. India has… Read More

These high-yield trusts also offer growth

DREAM OFFICE REIT $23.66 (Toronto symbol D.UN; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (416-365-3535; www.dream.ca/office; Units o/s: 60.1 million; Market cap: $1.6 billion; Dividend yield: 4.2%) owns and manages 42 office and retail properties in major Canadian cities. Altogether, they comprise 7.8 million square feet of leaseable space.
In early 2016,… Read More

Parent & spinoff set their own course

On November 1, 2015, the old Hewlett-Packard Co. split into two firms—Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and HP Inc. For every share they held in the old HP, shareholders received one share in each of the new companies.
The old HP expected the computer services business (HP Enterprise) would… Read More

One takeover set, another brewing

USG CORP. $43 (New York symbol USG; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares o/s: 139.7 million; Market cap: $6.0 billion; No dividend paid; Takeover Target Rating: Highest; www.usg.com) makes gypsum wallboard (drywall), wallboard finishing materials, tile backers and underlayment, and ceiling tiles.
Germany’s Knauf Group holds a 10.5% stake… Read More

These ETFs rely on high-risk strategies

We take a look at two brand-new ETFs launched by high profile personalities. One is investing in e-commerce stocks after they may have already peaked; the other aims to use artificial intelligence to predict the future. It’s unclear whether either approach will succeed in the… Read More

Focus on packaging cuts this printer’s risk

TRANSCONTINENTAL INC. $30 (Toronto symbol TCL.A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares o/s: 87.8 million; Market cap: $2.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.3; Dividend yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.tctranscontinental.com) has completed its $1.7 billion acquisition of Chicago-based Coveris Americas. That privately held firm makes plastic packaging for… Read More

These three will overcome tariff threats

Finning and Linamar have businesses—and customers—in many countries outside of Canada, which helps reduce their exposure to any brewing trade war between this country and the U.S. As well, Toromont both operates and sells mainly within Canada, which helps shield it from any potential new… Read More

CP tackles its backlog

CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY $237.69 (Toronto symbol CP; shares o/s: 147.7 million; Market cap: $34.0 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Divd. yield: 1.1%; www.cpr.ca) should benefit from new federal regulations meant to encourage rail operators to refurbish Canada’s fleet of grain railcars (called “hoppers”).
While the government will continue… Read More

Manulife plan will cut costs

MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP. $23.69 (Toronto symbol MFC; Shares o/s: 2.0 billion; Market cap: $47.0 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 3.7%; www.manulife.ca) is Canada’s largest life insurer.
The company also sells other forms of insurance, including health, dental and travel plans; in addition, it offers mutual… Read More