Yearly Archives: 2012

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April 30, 2012
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Gold Miners Tarnished

Richard Croft

The price of gold has slipped some 12% since its all-time high over US$1,900 per ounce at the end of last August. Canada’s S&P/TSX Global Gold Index, however, has plummeted 31% in about the same period. You’d think there would have to be a closer correlation between the price of gold and the fortunes of gold miners, but...

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no-cover
April 21, 2012
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RIM in Play?

Richard Croft

Having lost some 75% of its share value over the past year, could it be that Waterloo, Ontario-based Research-in-Motion Ltd. (TSX: RIM Fridays close $13.26) is at last in play? If so, it should not come as any major surprise as frankly, in the shark-infested waters of the high-tech world (worse, even, than the predatory world...

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no-cover
April 16, 2012
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SNC-Lavalin’s Faulty Structure

Richard Croft

Engineering and construction company SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. (TSX: SNC) has certainly hit some rough waters recently. Its murky dealings in Libya, recent departures of high-ranking executives, and last week’s police raid on its offices in Montreal are starting to make investors nervous. Share prices, already on the way down...

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no-cover
April 11, 2012
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Is the Shine off Gold?

Richard Croft

The gold bears are coming out of hibernation, at least for a little while. The price of gold slipped again last week, closing at around US$1,632 per ounce, down from a 2012 high of US$1,793 at the end of February – a loss of 9%, and down 11% from its all-time high of US$1,840 last September. The reason – at least, one...

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no-cover
April 02, 2012
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Pulp Fiction

Richard Croft

Moody’s Investor Services recently released an analysis of the global paper and forest products industry, and doesn’t like what it sees. It believes overall operating income for most players in the industry will decrease in the next year and a half as demand fades and prices weaken. If Moody’s outlook pans out, that could...

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no-cover
March 26, 2012
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Exercising your Options

Richard Croft

The old adage “buy on the rumor, sell on the news” might not be a very solid principle on which to build a longer term portfolio. However, it often presents interesting opportunities for short-term speculators who might want to bet on a quick turn in a company’s share price, particularly after a sharp run-up. Such a case...

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no-cover
March 19, 2012
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Just in Case There’s no Bread in Wheat

Richard Croft

Clearly, there’s a consolidation of sorts underway in the global agribusiness sector. Reports circulated last week of a possible takeover of Canada’s largest grain handler, Viterra Inc. (TSX: VT, Friday’s close $16.21) by a consortium consisting of Agrium Inc. (TSX: AGU, $85.22), closely-held Canadian grain handler...

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no-cover
March 12, 2012
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Coaling It?

Richard Croft

“Coal” is a four letter word long demonized by the environmental lobby as the ultimate villain in pollution-creating carbon-based fuel. Even so, coal continues to be abundant, relatively cheap and a much needed source of energy for a world trying to reduce its dependence on oil. Power grids in emerging Asia, especially...

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no-cover
March 06, 2012
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Financials Revisited

Richard Croft

We’ve been a friend to the financial sector since last November when we looked at bullish positions in the Canadian financial services sector. Turns out that was very near the bottom of the market for the iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financial Services Index Fund (TSX: XFN). Since then, XFN has advanced 16%. We also suggested...

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no-cover
February 27, 2012
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Double Double

Richard Croft

In Canada, the phrase “double double” is instantly associated with donut-and-coffee chain Tim Hortons Inc. (TSX: THI, Frodays Close $52.81). The chain, whose ubiquitous stores, counters, and outlets seem to be on every corner, just reported fourth-quarter results, with net income of $0.65 per share. That was down...

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