Earnings Season: Which TSX Stocks Should You Buy?

Investors have some tough decisions to make as big tech spills the beans and Air Canada (TSX:AC) reveals monumental second-quarter losses.

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It’s been a hectic week for earnings, as a huge number of companies turned in their second-quarter results. Both sides of the border saw a raft of names add to the dismal picture of 2020’s Q2. The year’s second quarter was every bit as bad as investors expected. However, while some names struggled to maintain income growth, others saw the pandemic actually boost their bottom lines.

A busy week for companies reporting earnings

Mad Money host Jim Cramer hit the nail on the head, stating, “You need to understand that this week is about one thing and one thing only: It’s about earnings. First time it’s been like that in a while … This is the most overwhelming week of earnings season, when a ridiculous number of companies report at the exact same time.”

U.S. stocks have been generated plenty of headlines this week. Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, and McDonald’s all reported earnings this week. Exxon, Chevron, and Caterpillar also dished the dirt on their Q2. The TSX saw its own fair share of reporting companies, with everything from Shopify and Aphria to Enbridge and Air Canada turning in their own decidedly mixed earnings.

Big tech in particular turned in mixed reports this week. Amazon stood out with 40% revenue growth from surges in household shopping and entertainment bolstering the online giant’s bottom line. Apple also turned in a decent quarter, with products and services driving double-digit growth. Not so charming were the reports from Google parent company Alphabet and Facebook. Both names suffered as digital advertising dried up.

Stocks to buy and trim

The energy sector weighed on the TSX, which slid on dour reports. Even stalwart names such as Fortis failed to lift the mood. Canadian telecom giant Telus continued its sector’s slump. Its report followed that of Rogers Communications, which itself saw a huge decline in roaming revenues. Next up to bat will be BCE, which is expected to report its Q2 earnings August 6.

On the buy list include big names in communications and energy infrastructure, such as Rogers, Telus, and Enbridge. Stocks to trim include names with high valuations and uncertain outlooks, including Shopify, Aphria, and Air Canada. Indeed, following its alarming second-quarter report, Air Canada has a long way to recover.

Last month, I wrote, “In reverting to United Nations and International International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards, Air Canada is still complying with recognized guidelines. However, the final judge of the wisdom of rolling back social-distancing measures won’t be the UN or the IATA. It will be history.” However, having just posted a Q2 89% revenue plunge, investors won’t have to wait that long to punish Air Canada.

All eyes will be on BCE as the next telecom stock to report earnings. Until then, investors have a mixed bag to pick over. While there are certainly some falling knives on the market, good value for money continues to make quality picks stand out. Names like Rogers are among the best stocks that could see rocketing upside, as Canada emerges from the worst of the pandemic.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Fool contributor Victoria Hetherington has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. David Gardner owns shares of Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Amazon, Apple, and Facebook. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Amazon, Apple, Enbridge, Facebook, Shopify, and Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends FORTIS INC and ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. CL B NV and recommends the following options: short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon and long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon.

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