Q: Pat: Could I have your opinion on a stock: Intuitive Surgical. Thank you and I enjoy the Inner Circle.

A: Intuitive Surgical Inc., $517.36, symbol ISRG on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 116.0 million; Market cap: $59.2 billion; www.intuitive.com), develops, manufactures and markets the da Vinci Surgical System along with related accessories, training, and services. Intuitive Surgical is based in Sunnyvale, California.

Da Vinci is a computerized… Read More

Q: We are holding a position in Blue Ribbon Income Fund (RBN.UN). We are considering building on that position. May I have your thoughts, please?

A: Blue Ribbon Income Fund, $8.37, symbol RBN.UT on Toronto (Units outstanding: 12.8 million; Market cap: $107.1 million; www.bromptongroup.com), was formerly called the Citadel Diversified Investment Trust.

This fund holds a lot of former oil and gas trusts, pipeline or other utility trusts (most if not… Read More

Q: Pat, can I get your opinion of Lowe’s? Thank you.

A: Lowe’s Cos., $111.04, symbol LOW on New York (Shares outstanding: 766.5 million; Market cap: $85.1 billion; www.lowes.com), operates a chain of 1,977 hardware and home improvement superstores in the U.S. and Canada. Product categories include appliances, lumber/plywood, paint, flooring, millwork, building materials, seasonal living,… Read More

Q: Pat, I notice that in Canadian Wealth Advisor you recommended the SPDR S&P 500 ETF. Why would this be better than the iShares XSP, which is hedged to the Canadian dollar. Are they not the same?

A: No one can consistently predict currency movements, but we still feel that most investors should remain invested in U.S. stocks. Note that even if the U.S. dollar should fall against the Canadian dollar, your U.S. stocks can still appreciate in value even while the… Read More

Q: Hi, Pat. What do you think about The Chefs’ Warehouse as a stock to buy? Thanks.

A: The Chefs’ Warehouse, $37.92, symbol CHEF on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 29.9 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion, www.chefswarehouse.com), distributes specialty food products in the U.S. and Canada.

The company’s product portfolio includes 55,000 products needed by chefs operating in high-end, menu-driven restaurants, fine-dining establishments, country clubs,… Read More