The Canadian Core Buy list substantially underperformed the S&P/TSX 60 Index during the month of February, posting a total return that came in at -5.6% compared to the benchmark's gain of 0.2%. While no constituents of the Core Buy list earned a positive total return during the month of February, the two primary sources of the poor result were Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX) and National Bank of Canada (NA) with total returns of -26.8% and -7.8%, respectively.
Nonetheless, the Core Buy list retains its cumulative outperformance against the benchmark with a total return since inception of 131.3% versus 82.4% for the S&P/TSX 60 Index, a difference of 48.9 percentage points.
Our model recommended several changes to March's Core Pick list. Suncor Energy (SU) was moved off of the Core Buy list to the Core Hold list, and was replaced by the new addition of Tourmaline Oil (TOU). BCE (BCE) and Rogers Communications (RCI.B) were dropped to the Core Sell list from the Core Hold list, and Fortis (FTS) was raised from the Core Sell list to the Core Hold list.
A recap of stocks on this month's Consider Buy List
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) remains on the list from last month. The stock trades at a 28.9% discount to our fair value estimate of $77.
Cameco Corp. (CCO) remains on the list from last month. The stock trades at a 34.5% discount to our fair value estimate of $25.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) remains on the list from last month. The stock trades at a 32.4% discount to our fair value estimate of $133.
Enbridge Inc. (ENB) remains on the list from last month. The stock trades at an 11.5% discount to our fair value estimate of $54.
National Bank of Canada (NA) remains on the list from last month. The stock trades at a 42.4% discount to our fair value estimate of $64.
Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR) remains on the list from last month. The stock trades at a 13.7% discount to our fair value estimate of $55.
Tourmaline Oil Corp. (TOU) was newly added to the list this month. The stock trades at a 14% discount to our fair value estimate of $29.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (VRX) remains on the list from last month. The stock trades at a 57.1% discount to our fair value estimate of $220.
The Canadian Income Buy list underperformed the S&P/TSX 60 Index during the month of February, posting a total return of -0.6% compared to the benchmark's gain of 0.2%. The weaker performance of the Buy list was primarily driven by a weak result from National Bank of Canada (NA), which posted a total return of -7.8% for the month of February. The best performance came from Pembina Pipeline (PPL) with a total return of 6.4%.
The Income Buy list has generated a cumulative return since inception of 140.2%, while the S&P/TSX 60 Index returned 82.3% over the same period, a difference of 57.9 percentage points.
Our model recommended several additional changes to our Income Pick list for the month of March. Suncor Energy (SU) was dropped from the Income Buy list to the Income Hold list, trading rankings with Peyto Exploration & Development (PEY). BCE (BCE) was downgraded to the Income Hold list to the Income Sell list, and Fortis (FTS) was promoted back to the Income Hold list from the Income Sell list.
A recap of stocks on this month's Consider Buy List
AGF Management Ltd. (AGF.B) remains on the list from last month. The stock offers a dividend yield of 6.7% and trades at a 20% discount to our fair value estimate of $6.
Enbridge Inc. (ENB) remains on the list from last month. The stock offers a dividend yield of 4.4% and trades at an 11.5% discount to our fair value estimate of $54.
IGM Financial Inc. (IGM) remains on the list from last month. The stock offers a dividend yield of 6.3% and trades at a 14.5% discount to our fair value estimate of $42.
National Bank of Canada (NA) remains on the list from last month. The stock offers a dividend yield of 5.9% and trades at a 42.4% discount to our fair value estimate of $64.
Pembina Pipeline Corp. (PPL) remains on the list from last month. The stock offers a dividend yield of 5.4% and trades at a 0.8% discount to our fair value estimate of $34.
Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. (PEY) was added to the list this month. The stock offers a dividend yield of 4.7% and trades at a 0.6% discount to our fair value estimate of $28.
Shaw Communications Inc. Class B (SJR.B) remains on the list from last month. The stock offers a dividend yield of 5.1% and trades at a 6.3% discount to our fair value estimate of $25.
TELUS Corp. (T) remains on the list from last month. The stock offers a dividend yield of 4.5% and trades at a 1.5% discount to our fair value estimate of $40.