Greg Newman, senior wealth advisor, director and portfolio manager for The Newman Group at Scotia Wealth Management
Focus: North American dividend stocks and portfolio strategy

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MARKET OUTLOOK

The global economy is in good shape and, while interest rates are rising, they’re still pretty accommodative.  If it weren’t for trade war fears, markets would most probably be going up. The U.S. economy is currently stronger than most, giving Trump some leverage in this game, which means the uncertainty could be around for a while. The odds of a debilitating and lasting trade war are quite low in our view, but the uncertainty will keep markets nervous. In the end, this too shall pass and little will have likely changed, other than some token victories for the U.S. Use these fears to your advantage and accumulate good investments at good levels.

TOP PICKS

BROOKFIELD PROPERTY PARTNERS (BPY_u.TO)

Brookfield Property offers investors a compelling way to play the global commercial real estate market through a diversified and experienced manager. Earn an attractive 6.2 per cent distribution while they grow their business.

INTACT FINANCIAL (IFC.TO)

Intact offers investors a compelling way to play growth in the fragmented property and casualty market. Earn an attractive dividend while growth is set to accelerate.

AECON GROUP (ARE.TO)

Aecon offers investors a compelling way to play the growth in the construction and infrastructure space in Canada. Earn an attractive dividend while this plays out.

ISHARES MSCI EUROPE IMI INDEX ETF (XEH.TO)

• Then: $23.99
• Now: $24.89
• Return: 4%
• Total return: 4%

WSP GLOBAL (WSP.TO)

• Then: $50.62
• Now: $72.05
• Return: 42%
• Total return: 45%

AGRIUM (AGU.TO)
Stock merged 1-for-2.23 Nutrien stock (NTR.TO) on Jan. 2, 2018.

• Then: $124.13
• Now: $70.13      
• Return: 26%
• Total return: 27%

Total return average: 25%

WEBSITE: https://www.newmangroup.ca