KeyStone’s Stock Talk – Canadian & US Small-Cap Growth & Dividend Stocks, Tips & Portfolio Building Strategies

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 108

This week we will begin by briefly revisiting our discussion on FaceBook (FB:NASDAQ) from last week, we will touch on electric car manufacturer Tesla overtaking Toyota as the world’s most valuable car manufacturer by market cap, and Warren Buffett’s first significant purchase since COVID-19. In our Your Stock, Our Take segment we take a look at three interesting companies. The first, MediPharm Labs (LABS:TSX-V), once a singular standout in terms of profitability in the Canadian Cannabis sector, has lost 70% of its value in 2020 – is it an opportunity or value trap? In our second segment, Aaron will be running a comparison on NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA:NASDAQ), and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD:NASDAQ). NVIDIA is leading designer of graphics processing units (GPUs) which are used in high-end PCs for gaming, data centers as well as AI and machine learning applications. For its part, Advanced Micro Devices produces microprocessors for the computer and consumer electronics industries with the majority of the sales are in CPUs and GPUs.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 107

This week in KeyStone’s Stock Talk Podcast, we continue our discussion of the stock market’s coming potential “lost decade”. We take a look at this concept in reference to the Schiller PE and if the Market is Cheap or Expensive at present. In our Your Stock, Our Take segment we take a look at a couple of small-cap companies sent in by listeners, including a dividend payer and one cash rich technology play. The first, Decisive Dividend Corporation (DE:TSX-V), is an acquirer of diverse profitable companies including everything from a wood and gas stove business to and air blast sprayers and a business that provides products to the cement, mining, oil and gas, aggregate, and coal industries. The second is, Quarterhill Inc. (QTRH:TSX), historically an IP licensing business which is now focusing on the acquisition and management of technology companies that provides products and services worldwide. Finally, our Dog of the week, FaceBook (FB:NASDAQ), which needs no introduction. Mark Zuckerberg’s social media giant has come through the pandemic well, but is facing significant challenges near-term – Aaron discusses the impact on the stock.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 106

This week in KeyStone’s Stock Talk Podcast we start by discussing the idea that the market may be headed for a ‘lost decade’. The idea, while not new, was brought front of mind this week in a note from Bridgewater, the largest hedge fund manager in the world. We also circle back on last weeks thoughts about the surge in Day Trading activity as the author of the book "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" cited the same study we noted in our episode last week as evidence day trading is not a smart idea for the average investor.   In our Your Stock, Our Take segment we take a look at a couple of highly published names from the past several weeks. The first, Nikola Corp. (NKLA:NASDAQ), the would be designer and manufacturer of electric and fuel cell vehicles including semis and trucks, with no sales that recently IPO’d on the market and holds an astonishing $24 Billion current market cap. The second is the embattled and debt-heavy Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (HTZ:NYSE), which saw its stock crater over this year, but somehow bounce when it filed for bankruptcy. It appears the rout in the stock is back on – we let you know if there is any hope.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 105

This week in KeyStone’s Stock Talk Podcast we start by discussing the hot topic that so-called, Robinhood traders are responsible for the V-shaped recovery we have seen in the market since COVID-19. In our “Ask Us Anything Segment”, we take a listener question on how to get an advantage investing in small-caps and we provide an example of how we used this tool to re-recommend profitable Small-Cap, Photon Control (PHO:TSX) to clients which has nearly doubled in the past 2-months. Our Dog of the Week is the embattled Cineplex Inc. (CGX: TSX), Canada’s largest movie theatre chain. The stock fell 17% today, after global movie theatre giant Cineworld (CINE:LSE) announced that it would not be following through with the $2.8 billion acquisition of Cineplex, initially announced in December of last year. Finally, in our Your Stock Our Take Segment we answer a listener question on micro-cap Thermal Energy International Inc. (TMG:TSX-V), which is engaged in the development, engineering and supply of pollution control, heat recovery systems, and condensate return solutions, which can help their customers increase facility efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 104

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast we do a traditional Star and Dog of the Week while introducing a comparison segment of two hot Canadian tech stocks. Our Star of the Week is Mav Beauty Brands (MAV:TSX), a personal care company which sells hair care, body care and beauty products. The stock, which had been on a downward trend since its IPO in June of 2018, has rebounded over 45% in the past 5 trading days. Our Dog of the Week is Slack Technologies Inc. (WORK: NYSE), a business communication and remote work collaboration platform which offers features, including persistent chat rooms, private groups, and direct messaging. The stock which had performed relatively well during COVID-19, is down nearly 20% over the past 3-days. We let you know why. Our quick comparison this week pits two hot mid-sized Canadian Software companies against one another – the first, Kinaxis (KXS:TSX), creates supply chain software while the second, Enghouse Systems (ENGH:TSX), is no stranger to our clients.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 103

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast we discuss two very different but equally topical stocks in our Your Stock Our Take Segment. The fist company is one of the Big 5 Canadian Banks, The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS:TSX), which reported its Q2 2020 earnings this week. ScotiaBank, who’s shares have dropped significantly year-to-date in 2020 along with Canada’s other big banks, saw its quarterly earnings plunge 41% after the lender set aside a record amount for loan losses, giving investors their first indication of how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect Canadian banks. We give our quick take on the stock following the earnings numbers. The second company is high growth leading game live streaming platform in China, “HOOYA” HUYA Inc. (HUYA:NYSE). The company cooperates with e-sports event organizers, as well as major game developers and publishers, and has developed e-sports live streaming as one of the most popular content genres on its platform.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 102

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast, we discuss our recent series of Crisis Portfolio Building Webinars. We highlight Sona Nanotech (SONA:CSE), a speculative healthcare stock to be cautious about and contrast it to Viemed (VMD:TSX) and Hamilton Thorne (HTL:TSX-V). Finally, Aaron provides insight into the oil sector, addressing Crescent Point Energy (CPG:TSX) and Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ:TSX) and discusses whether oil presents any current investment opportunities.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 101

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast, we discuss our upcoming live-streaming Webinars. Ryan provides some words of wisdom for investing in the current market environment and we touch on a few hot topics, including: online collaboration service providers, cruise lines and Costco.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 100

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast, we discuss our upcoming live-streaming Webinars, Aaron Dunn's recent appearance on Michael Campbell's MoneyTalks Radio, and the current market environment surrounding the Covid-19 crisis and its implications on the economy. Plus, we touch on a few general investment themes investors are faced with while dealing with these times of economic uncertainty.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 99

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast we briefly answer a listener question in our Your Stock Our Take Segment but in the light of the significant global market drop, we focus on issues surrounding (1) Covid-19, (2) Drop in oil - Canadian energy producers generally, (3) Fear in the markets, and (4) How do deal with it in your 15-25 stock portofolio. In our Your Stock Our Take Segment, our question is on VitalHub Corp. (VHI:TSX-V), which develops mobile healthcare solutions that allow clinicians to access information about patients. Its technologies include blockchain, patient flow, mobile and web-based assessment and electronic healthcare record solutions. A client who loves this space, asks us if VitalHub, which recently consolidated is shares, is good value at present.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 98

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast, in our Your Stock Our Take Segment we answer a question on a company founded over 100 years ago. Headquartered in Hamilton and founded in 1910, Stelco Holdings Inc. (STLC:TSX), which is a low cost, integrated and independent steelmaker with modern integrated steelmaking facilities in Canada and the U.S. The listener, who is down 60% on the stock asks us our take on the company and whether it meets KeyStone’s criteria for investment. Our Dog of the Week is Dorel Industries Inc. (DII.B: TSX) a Canadian designer, manufacturer and seller of juvenile products, bicycles, and furniture. Dorel’s stock is down 11% over the past 5 trading days, 78% over the last 12 months and 90% over the last 3 years. Is there any hope near or long-term for the stock?

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 97

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast, we discuss the current market environment that has been influence by fears from the Coronavirus and Warren Buffet's annual newsletter released to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. In our Your Stock Our Take Segment we answer two listener questions. The first is a high growth online grocery company, Goodfood Market Corp (FOOD:TSX) – which delivers fresh meal solutions and grocery items that make it easy for 230,000 members from coast to coast to enjoy delicious meals at home every week. Our second company is one of, if not the biggest business success stories of the past couple decades, Alphabet Inc. (GOOG:NASDAQ), the world leader in online search and advertising services. The Google segment offers products, such as Ads, Android, Chrome, Google Cloud, Google Maps, Google Play, Hardware, Search, and YouTube, as well as technical infrastructure. It also offers digital content, cloud services, hardware devices, and other miscellaneous products and services. We let you know if this tech giant has more room to grow.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 96

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast, we answer two questions in our Your Stock Our Take Segment on two stocks that could not be more different. The first, Cryptologic Corp. (CRY:CSE) – is it a payment processor, a crypto miner, or a cannabis producer? Frankly, the company appears unsure. Nevertheless, a listener asks us if the company is worth his investment dollars. Our second company is one of, if not the biggest business success stories of the past couple decades, Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN:NASDAQ), the world's largest online retailer. The company reported approximately $365 billion in gross merchandise sales in 2019 and $281 billion in net sales. Shares in the online giant have been on a long-term tear, averaging annual returns of over 40% over the last 5 years and was up 35% over the last 12 months. Our Star of the Week is Nvidia Corp. (NVDA:NASDAQ), which focuses on personal computer (PC) graphics, graphics processing units (GPU) and also on artificial intelligence (AI). The stock was up around 16% this week and up over 80% in the past 6 months. We examine what is driving the gains and if it can continue.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 95

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast, in our Your Stock Our Take Segment we answer a listener question on, Freshii Inc. (FRII:TSX), a health and wellness brand, with 464 restaurants in 16 countries and 700 more points of distribution around the world. Despite a growing restaurant network and expanding retail partnerships, the company has struggled with same-store-sales growth and is trading close to all-time lows. A listener asks if the company is a potential turnaround story? Our STAR of the Week is Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (INE:TSX), a developer, owner and operator of run-of-river hydroelectric facilities, wind energy, and solar farms in North America. In a hot alternative energy space, the stock was up around 16.5% this week and up 30% year-to-date. We examine what is driving the gains. Our Dog of the Week, Lightspeed POS Inc. (LSPD:TSX), which provides a omni-channel commerce-enabling SaaS (software as a service) platform for small and medium-sized businesses. The stock, which has been somewhat of a market darling after its 2019 IPO, dropped significantly after its Q3 results and 2020 financial outlook. We take a look at if the drop is justified or an opportunity.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 94

Our first Your Stock Our Take is on, ZoomerMedia Limited (ZUM:TSX-V), a Canadian multimedia company targeting the 45+ aged demographic. The company owns and creates content on television, radio, in print, digital, as well as live events. A listener asks us our take on this company which screened well for him but he saw the CEO’s high compensation as an issue. Our second Your Stock Our Take is NamSys Inc. (CTZ:TSX-V), a profitable micro-cap, with a solid balance sheet that develops and sells software solutions for currency management and processing for the banking and merchant industries principally in North America. A listener asks us our take on the stock which we have profiled for several years in our Cash Rich, Profitable Small-Cap Special Report. Our Star of the Week, Tesla Inc. (TSLA:NASDAQ), which designs, develops, manufactures and sells high-performance fully electric vehicles and solar energy generation and energy storage products. The stock was up around 58% this week and up a whopping 292% in the past 6-months. We let you know if it is sustainable.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 93

The week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast we answer two questions in our Your Stock Our Take segment. The first is on Absolute Software Corporation (ABT:TSX), a provider of SaaS or software as a service-based end-point security and data risk management solutions. A listener asks us our outlook on this cash rich, profitable small-cap stock. Our second YSOT of the Week is, Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER:NYSE), the first and largest ride sharing company in the world. With the company, finally and I mean finally, coming to our hometown of Vancouver, we review the business and its potential investment merits with the stock still trading below its IPO price. Our Star of the Week, China Jo-Jo Drugstores Inc. (CJJD:NASDAQ), is a retailer and distributor of pharmaceutical and other healthcare products typically found in retail pharmacies in China. The stock was up around 20% in the last week and up 67% in the past 3-months – recent gains appear to be driven by the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus. We let you know if it is sustainable.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 92

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast, in our Your Stock Our Take Segment we answer a question on, AirIQ Inc. (IQ:TSX-V) which offers an intuitive web-based platform that provides fleet operators and vehicle owners with a suite of asset management solutions to reduce cost, improve efficiency and monitor, manage and protect their assets. A listener asks us if recent quarterly growth is sustainable in this profitable micro cap which just hit new 52 week highs. Our Dog of the Week, Bombardier Inc. (BBD.B:TSX), the Canadian transportation giant which, creates innovative and game-changing planes and trains (at least when they can get them finally delivered). The stock has dropped over 30% in the past week after cutting Q4 guidance and saying it may need to pull out of its JV with Airbus to build commercial jets because rising production costs threaten future returns on its investment. The stock is off 56% from its highs this past year. Our Star of the Week, TerraVest Industries Inc. (TVK:TSX), an industrial company that manufactures and sells goods and services to various end-markets including energy, agriculture, mining, and transportation. The stock was up around 13% in the last week and up 45% in the past year. We let you know what is driving it and if it is sustainable.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 91

This week in KeyStone's Stock Talk Podcast, we answer a timely question in our Your Stock Our Take Segment on, Aphria Inc. (APHA:TSX), a licensed, Canadian-based cannabis producer. It is one of the largest cannabis stocks in Canada based on revenue and market cap. James from Abbotsford, emailed in about Aphria. He wants to know why the stock has lost so much value and what our outlook is over the next 12 to 24 months. Our Dog of the Week is, GNC Holdings, Inc. (GNC:NYSE), a company engaged in the global retail of health, wellness and performance products. The stock was down 14% in the last week and 24% this past year. Our Star of the Week is well known to KeyStone clients having been in our Canadian Growth Stock Focus Buy Portfolio for over a year now. Jumping over 20% this week alone, the company, Aritzia Inc. (ATZ:TSX), is a vertically integrated, innovative in store and online fashion retailer selling its own brands. The company currently operates 67 boutiques in Canada and 27 boutiques in the United States. Better-than-expected Q3 earnings boosted the stock over 20% to start the week and the stock is up over 45% in the past year.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 90

In our Your Stock Our Take Segment we answer two listener questions this week. The first on a large U.S. real estate investment trust, American Tower Corp. (AMT:NYSE), which owns and leases a portfolio of approximately 170,000 cell towers globally. A listener asks us if this is the REIT is a good way to play the expansion and rollout of 5G technology. Our second Your Stock Our Take is on profitable micro-cap, Destiny Media Technologies Inc. (DSY:TSX-V), which provides software as a service (SaaS) solutions to businesses in the music industry solving critical problems in distribution and promotion. With the company posting strong revenue growth in 2019, a listener asks us our take on the stock. Our Star of the Week is cash-rich international but TSX-listed energy producer, Parex Resources, Inc. (PXT:TSX). Parex is engaged in the exploration, development, production and marketing of oil and natural gas in Colombia. The stock is up 27% in the past month – we let you know why.

Stock Talk Podcast Episode 89

This week in KeyStone’s Stock Talk Podcast we answer three listener questions in our Your Stock Our Take Segment. The first on profitable micro-cap Evergreen Gaming Corporation (TNA:TSX-V), a licensed gaming company currently operating four smaller casinos in Washington State. A listener noted its lower PE and asked if we see it as good value. Our second Your Stock Our Take is on gold giant, Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX:TSX). Barrick is one of the world’s largest gold producers, operating mines in North America, South America, Australia, and Africa. With the price of gold moving higher once again, a listener asks us how the current valuations look on this widely followed gold stock. Our final Your Stock Out Take this week and year is on PFB Corporation (PFB:TSX), a small-cap company operating in the building construction sector. PFB develops, manufactures and markets, insulation building products and technologies based on expanded polystyrene technology. The company pays a 2.6% dividend and is profitable, showing solid growth but operates in what can be a volatile building sector. A listener asks us if it offers value at present.