Fresh investment stock ideas from JFT Strategies Fund Class A (JFS.UN) and Stockopedia — Vacation Edition

I am currently enjoying a few days of vacation in New Brunswick.

Only longtime readers will be familiar with this view:

Earlier this week, the TSX took a sharp downturn and lost over 500 points in a single day. I didn’t post that day, but I did check my portfolio to assess the damage. To my surprise, I actually closed the day up $36. I was quite happy, as I had been mentally prepared to take a hit. Today, the TSX is clawing its way back into the 30,000s, and it feels great. I estimate my net worth to be around $515,000. Today, my non-registered portfolio closed at $164,788.95, my U.S. portfolio at US$5,867.37, my RRSP stocks-only portfolio at $98,001.21, and my TFSA at $149,125.59. My numbers remain solid. I’m hopeful I can ride out any further market correction without too much trouble and stay at least within the $500,000.

Yesterday, I updated my dividend-income Excel sheet. My annual dividend income now stands at $14,589.67: $2,939.46 from my RRSP, $4,795.70 from my TFSA, US$118.12 from my U.S. portfolio, and $6,736.39 from my non-registered portfolio. I hadn’t updated my overall dividend figure in a while. A few days ago, Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust (AD.UN) announced a 9% distribution increase. Earlier in September, one of my major holdings also announced a welcome 1% dividend raise.

I have a bit of cash in my U.S. portfolio comin from recent distributions and went looking for a U.S. stock to buy. While reviewing the JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN) holdings, I found a name that could be a good fit: Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (ITRN). I’ll only invest a small amount. In JFS.UN, ITRN represents 1.10% of the fund’s holdings. I always find it quite interesting to review the JFT Strategies Fund’s major holdings.

Over the years, I’ve added a few of the JFS.UN holdings into my own portfolio, with mixed results. I hold Ag Growth International Inc. (AFN) in my non-registered account, where it’s showing a loss of about –30%. In my TFSA, Northland Power Inc. (NPI) is up about +10%, as is Calian Group Ltd. (CGY). In my non-registered portfolio, Russel Metals Inc. (RUS) is up +15%, while in my RRSP it’s roughly –3%. In my TFSA, Total Energy Services Inc. (TOT) is up +65%, and in my RRSP, Bird Construction Inc. (BDT) is up +58%.

Back in February, I noted a very odd holding in the JFT Strategies Fund: Mercer Park Opportunities (SPAC.U). It still strikes me as a strange pick. In fact, SPAC.U is still in JFS.UN’s portfolio, and I’m not quite sure what to make of it. One thing is certain: I won’t be investing in Mercer Park Opportunities (SPAC.U).

When I’m done picking stocks from the JFT Strategies Fund’s top holdings, my favorite tool is Stockopedia. I’ve been using it for many years and really enjoy browsing all of its content. It’s pricey, but worth every penny. They usually offer good subscription deals in November for Black Friday. 

Inside my portfolio I have my core holdings, but I also like to add other stocks that catch my eye. Often ones I discover while browsing Stockopedia. Since my broker charges no commission, I can buy just one share of a new position to get a feel for it. I’ll admit: I do that fairly often. Alongside my proven, long-time dog fighters, I keep a few smaller, more speculative positions. Many of those were picked on Stockopedia, and sometimes those small positions grow into mid-sized holdings. Basically, I do whatever I want.

I did a bit of scrolling on Stockopedia today (rainy vacation day browsing!), and here are a few stocks I found interesting:

Mineros SA (MSA)
Thor Explorations Ltd. (THX)

Kiwetinohk Energy Corp. (KEC)
Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. (TFPM)

Those four stocks are really well ranked in Stockopedia. 

Again this year, I will be investing in my RRSP portfolio. I was thinking about investing into Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV) and iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XQQ) for my RRSP.