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
iwb22032 (September 8, 2020)
September blues… The bear market is over – for some… Bank stocks struggle… Gavin Graham’s updates: Intact Financial, Manulife Financial, Lowes Inc., Jefferies Financial
iwb22031 (August 31, 2020)
Big gain for Growth Portfolio… Physical retailing is not dead… Shawn Allen recommends RioCan REIT… Shawn Allen updates Costco, Stantec… Gordon Pape updates Walmart, Target… Glenn Rogers updates eBay, Starbucks… Your Questions: U.S. dividends… Next issue Sept. 8
iwb22030 (August 17, 2020)
Setback for RRSP Portfolio… The undiscovered country… Buying value stocks… Glenn Rogers likes Roku… Glenn Rogers updates Shopify, Chegg
iwb22029 (August 10, 2020)
Gold’s record run not over… Stock picks for gardeners… Big gain for Canadian Solar… Gordon Pape’s updates: Equitable Group, CGI Group, TFI International, iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF, iShares Canadian Core Bond Index ETF… A bond funds warning… Your Questions: Mawer fund; Looking at ETFs
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.