Stephen Takacsy on
BNN-Bloomberg’s Market Call – June 16, 2020
MARKET OUTLOOK
Following the crash in
March from government-imposed lockdowns, stock markets have surprisingly
rallied strongly. This is due to a combination of central banks compressing
interest rates and massive government stimulus and the economy reopening with
hopes for a quick recovery. It is also influenced by short covering, fears of
missing out and faith a vaccine will be found soon. However, we’re entering a
period of volatility as the market retraces some of its rapid gains and there
will be a marked separation between winners and losers. Not all businesses will
recover equally as governments maintain certain restrictions and a large swath
of the population maintain a cautious behaviour while unemployment remains
high.
Most companies have
removed their guidance for the remainder of the year and beyond and upcoming Q2
results with be telling on how bad the damage is. A few companies are thriving
and some are little affected, but most will continue to suffer such as the
travel and leisure sector, live entertainment, restaurants, retail, real
estate, financials and energy. Utilities, telecom, consumer staples, healthcare
and certain technology and industrial companies will be the safer investments.
The broad indexes will be a volatile place to be, so it should be a
stock-pickers market. We are being prudent, holding 10 per cent in cash and
sustainable dividend-paying stocks while trying to assess where the best
investment opportunities lie and position our portfolio for strong long-term
returns as government restrictions are loosened and the economy gradually
begins to function more normally.
TOP
PICKS
CENTRIC HEALTH (CHH TSX)
Centric is one of
MEDIAGRIF INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (MDF
TSX)
Like Shopify, Mediagrif
provides e-commerce solutions for businesses, though on a larger scale. They
manage the online platform for Sobeys/IGA and also for Carrefour in
SIENNA SENIOR LIVING (SIA TSX)
Sienna owns over 100
long-term care facilities and retirement homes in
Lester Asset Management