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
iwb21904 (January 28, 2019)
Straws in the wind… Shawn Allen’s review and outlook… Shawn Allen updates American Express, Canadian Western Bank, Costco… Gordon Pape’s ETF updates… Mutual fund portfolios reviewed
iwb21903 (January 21, 2019)
Earnings season begins on a mixed note… Ghosts of Christmas past… Understanding the U.S.-China trade war… Richard Croft recommends China ETF… Gavin Graham on the Goldcorp takeover… Gordon Pape’s updates: NFI Group, UnitedHealth, Andrew Peller… Housekeeping
iwb21902 (January 14, 2019)
Looking for silver linings… IBM and the hidden promise of new technologies… Adam Mayers likes IBM, Harvest ETF… Adam Mayers updates McDonald’s… Gordon Pape updates CGI Group, McKesson, Norfolk Southern, Sherwin-Williams… Your Questions: Asset mix… Housekeeping
iwb21901 (January 7, 2019)
An unpredictable year ahead Key questions for 2019… Four stocks to watch in 2019… Energy outlook 2019… Michael Corcoran updates ExxonMobil, Whitecap Resources, Tourmaline Oil… Gordon Pape updates Southern Company… Your Questions: U.S. income, beating inflation
Recent Updates
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.
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.
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.