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
iwb21940 (November 17, 2019)
The best of 2019… Canadian banks benefit from higher rates… Gavin Graham updates RBC, TD, Scotiabank… Why we sold Softbank… Gordon Pape’s updates: Badger Daylighting, Fortis Inc…. Your Questions: Portfolio for son; TFSA transfer… Correction
iwb21939 (November 4, 2019)
Is it crunch time?… Fast-food giants thrive in emerging markets… Adam Mayers updates Microsoft… Gordon Pape updates JPMorgan Chase, Alphabet… Your Questions: Which measure is best?
iwb21938 (October 28, 2019)
Credit cards pay off for investors… Shawn Allen updates Visa, American Express… Low-risk portfolio on track… Gordon Pape updates Badger Daylighting, Amazon.com… Your Questions: Where to hold cash… Member’s Corner: Government wish list
iwb21937 (October 21, 2019)
My wish list for the next government… Lessons from Black Monday… A big opportunity for investors… Ryan Irvine updates Viemed, Dynacor Gold… Gordon Pape updates Telus, Tourmaline Oil… Your Questions: Searching for broker… Fall seminars – last call
Recent Updates
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.
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.
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.