Got Patience? 2 Turnaround Growth Stocks for Steady Investors

Investors who are looking for some meaningful turnaround value right now have two excellent options to consider here.

| More on:
Key Points
  • Cargojet demonstrates strong profitability growth, driven by strategic long-term contracts and booming e-commerce demand, yet trades below industry multiples, offering considerable upside potential.
  • Cineplex is on a recovery path with improving financial results and increased per-guest spending, presenting a high-risk, high-reward opportunity due to its undervalued stock price compared to peers.

Recent turbulence has provided investors with plenty of long-term upside potential. At least, for those with the ability to wait out whatever storm we’re seeing brew on the geopolitical front right now.

In terms of overlooked and undervalued opportunities, I have a few ideas I think investors may want to consider on the TSX. Here are three of my top Canadian turnaround picks for investors thinking long term.

up arrow on wooden blocks

Source: Getty Images

Cargojet

Cargojet (TSX: CJT) has quietly engineered a meaningful turnaround in recent quarters.

This monopoly-style business relying on surging air freight growth over time has returned to solid profitability with annual profit growth averaging roughly 18% over the last five years. Analysts now forecast earnings to grow around 15% annually and revenue close to 6%, outpacing the broader Canadian market and underlining this company’s renewed earnings power.

A big part of the story is Cargojet’s defensive contract base. Long-term agreements tied to Canadian e-commerce demand and key partners such as large global logistics players have led domestic revenue to grow at a double digit rate in past quarters. This surge has been aided by events like Prime Week and a structural shift to online shopping, reinforcing the durability of its core network.

Despite this reality, CJT stock trades at about seven times earnings versus an industry multiple above 10. I believe this is a stock that’s worth considerably more than it’s current valuation, with plenty of upside as profitability improves and investors look to capitalize on this stock’s discounted valuation over time.

Cineplex

A company I’m still somewhat bearish on, but which was also seen some consolidation of late and may be worth considering for some investors, is Cineplex (TSX: CGX).

Shares of the Canadian cinema giant have rebounded off of last year’s lows. Indeed, Cineplex’s business has moved from crisis mode to a measured recovery, with the company’s quarterly revenue coming in right around $350 million this past quarter, alongside a small profit. That’s compared to very sizable losses a year ago, with a trailing 12-month loss of more than $35 million on $1.35 billion of revenue last year.

Now, 2025 was also an improvement on prior years, and everything’s relative. The pandemic really did shift consumer preferences away from the big screen toward home theatres everywhere.

That said, I think these recent fundament factors speak to a company steadily regaining its financial footing, even as results still depend on Hollywood’s release slate and consumer discretionary spending. Cineplex is also extracting more value per guest, with box office and concession revenue per patron hitting record levels in recent quarters. This was fueled by premium formats and higher in-theatre spending.

Despite these catalysts, Cineplex stock trades around 0.4 times sales, well below both direct peers (about one times) and the broader North American entertainment group (roughly 1.4 times). That’s while analysts have continued to provide higher fear value targets via their distributable cash flow models. For investors comfortable with some volatility, that improving earnings profile and low multiple create an appealing turnaround growth setup.

Fool contributor Chris MacDonald has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cargojet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Investing

Oil industry worker works in oilfield
Energy Stocks

Oil & Gas Stocks Are Back on the TSX30 After a Year on the Sidelines

Oil and gas stocks have returned to the TSX30. Here’s what drove Tenaz Energy and Valeura Energy higher and what…

Read more »

doctor uses telehealth
Dividend Stocks

Vital Infrastructure Is a Savvy TFSA Stock Paying 7% and the Price is Right

Vital Infrastructure Property is a defensive TFSA stock that gives investors high-yield income and predictable returns.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

No Time for Stock Research? This 1 ETF Does the Work for You

The iShares S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index Fund (TSX:XIC) eliminates the need for stock picking.

Read more »

Agricultural harvesting at the last light of day, aerial view.
Investing

Critical Minerals Are at the Centre of Canada’s Investment Push: This TSX Stock Could Win

Canada wants more control of critical-mineral supply chains, and Nutrien is a way to invest in one of the most…

Read more »

man touches brain to show a good idea
Stocks for Beginners

What the Everyday Canadian Investor Needs to Know About the Summit

Canada’s $100-trillion-investor summit may sound abstract, but it points to one practical theme ordinary investors can follow: electricity infrastructure.

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Stocks for Beginners

Canada’s Defence Push Could Unlock $500 Billion: Here’s the TSX Stock I’d Buy

Defence spending is shifting toward space, data, and surveillance, and MDA Space is already landing real contracts in those areas.

Read more »

woman holding steering wheel is nervous about the future
Dividend Stocks

Does Retirement Feel Far Away? These TSX Dividend Stocks Can Speed Things Up

These stocks have made some long-term investors quite rich.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax free savings account) acronym on wooden cubes on the background of stacks of coins
Dividend Stocks

How Much You Really Need in a TFSA to Make $500 a Month

It takes quite a bit of money to get $500 per month in a TFSA if you invest in index…

Read more »