One of the most important principles of sound investment management is staying on top of what’s happening in the world and how those events affect finances. Conditions change quickly, and keeping up-to-date on developments and trends can be challenging. The team of experts producing IWB have been advising Canadian investors for over 25 years.
Edited and Published by Gordon Pape. Associate Editor: Richard Croft
With Gavin Graham, Ryan Irvine, Glenn Rogers, Shawn Allen, Adam Mayers, Paul Bamford & Michael Corcoran.
Recent Issues
iwb22343 (December 4, 2023)
The rally has started… Buy and Hold posts gain… The symphony of shifting… Gordon Pape’s stock updates: Descartes Systems, Brookfield Corp., Canadian Utilities, Target Inc…. Price increase
iwb22342 (November 27, 2023)
A big year for tech… Three small-cap winners… Gordon Pape’s updates Richelieu Hardware… Gordon Pape’s ETF updates: ARK Innovation ETF, BMO Clean Energy Index ETF, iShares Global Agricultural Index ETF… Your Questions: Death of a spouse… Price increase
iwb22341 (November 20, 2023)
Celestica resurfaces… Walt Disney turns 100… Two industry leaders raise dividends… Gordon Pape updates Teck Resources, Home Depot, Walmart, TC Energy, Enbridge… Your Questions: Paying CPP after retirement
iwb22340 (November 13, 2023)
A healthcare winner… Deadline looms for FHSA… Shawn Allen updates American Express, RioCan REIT, Costco, Alimentation Couche-Tard, Dollarama… Gordon Pape’s stock updates: CGI Group, Apple Inc…. Gordon Pape’s ETF updates: Harvest Tech Achievers Growth and Income ETF, iShares Core S&P US Total Market ETF… Your Questions: High-interest ETFs… Members’ Corner: Alberta and the CPP
Recent Updates
Canadian National Railway (TSX: CNR, NYSE: CNI)
CNR operates across Canada and south through Chicago and Memphis to the Gulf of Mexico. Most of its revenue (69%) is from Canada and the rest is from the US. About 35% of its revenues relate to overseas traffic, while 65% represents freight moving within North America.
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B)
Berkshire is a giant conglomerate holding company, with hundreds of operating subsidiaries and huge stock investments.
Dollarama (TSX: DOL)
Dollarama has 1,719 stores in Canada. Its highly profitable business model includes directly sourcing its products at low cost, generally from Asia, and from China in particular. All stores are company-owned and operated in leased premises. It also owns 60% of the fast-growing 752-store Dollarcity chain, with established locations in Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Peru. Dollarcity recently opened its first eleven stores in Mexico.
lululemon Athletic (NDQ: LULU)
The fact that its products are proprietary, along with its strong brand reputation, allows lululemon to sell at very lucrative margins. Its gross margin of 54% equates to a markup over costs of 117%!
It now has 811 company-operated stores in 23 countries. The locations of the stores are 47% in the US, 21% China, 9% Canada, 14% in Asia Pacific, 6% in Europe and the Middle East, and 3% in Mexico. Close to half of its revenue is now derived from online direct-to-consumer sales.
iShares Russell 2000 ETF
IWM is an ETF designed to track the investment results of the Russell 2000 Index. The underlying index is the most widely followed benchmark for small‑cap equities.