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Author: Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Karen is a stock market enthusiast focused on uncovering those stocks that she believes the market has mispriced. She does this through fundamental and quantitative analysis of companies and their industries, as well as a study of future opportunities and trends. She holds a Masters degree in Finance, the CFA designation, and has over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry. Having worked at a major pension fund, as well as two leading mutual fund firms as an analyst and portfolio manager, she has solid investing expertise which she aims to share with her readers.

Recent Articles

The Motley Fool
Energy Stocks

Amazon.com, Inc. Acquires Stake in Plug Power Inc. and Sends Fuel Cell Shares Soaring

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Ballard Power Systems Inc. (TSX:BLD)(NASDAQ:BLDP) rallies in response to this vote of confidence in the fuel cell business

Read more »

Investing

Will Beauty and the Beast Be Enough to Save Cineplex Inc. From Selling Pressure?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Here's why investors should wait to get into Cineplex Inc. (TSX:CGX) shares.

Read more »

Investing

Alimentation Couche Tard Inc. Falls to Just Over $58: Should Investors Add on Weakness?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Here's why investors should not add Alimentation Couche Tard Inc. (TSX:ATD.B) to their portfolios.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

Investors: Forget Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc.: Check Out CRH Medical Corp. Instead

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Invest in CRH Medical Corp. (TSX:CRH) for exposure to a growing and profitable healthcare company.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Energy Stocks

3 Lessons I’ve Learned as an Investor: 1 Is From Warren Buffett

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Here's how we can use these lessons to know what to do with BlackBerry Ltd. (TSX:BB)(NASDAQ:BBRY), Precision Drilling Corporation (TSX:PD)(NYSE:PDS),…

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The Motley Fool
Investing

Will Auto Stocks React to Better-Than-Expected Jobs Report and Strong Auto Sales?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Is the auto cycle all played out, leaving Magna International Inc. (TSX:MG)(NYSE:MGA) and other auto stocks dead in the water?

Read more »

caution
Investing

3 Red Flags That Signal it’s Time to Sell: Learning From the Past

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

The lessons investors can learn from Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc. (TSX:VRX)(NYSE:VRX), Sierra Wireless, Inc. (TSX:SW)(NASDAQ:SWIR), and Ballard Power Systems Inc.…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Cineplex Inc. Continues its Push into U.S. Gaming

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Cineplex Inc.’s (TSX:CGX) push into gaming is good for long-term growth but bad for short-term margins.

Read more »

Investing

Why I’m Piling Up Cash

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

I'm readying myself for a sell-off to buy stocks such as CCL Industries Inc. (TSX:CCL.B) and Cineplex Inc. (TSX:CGX).

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Tech Stocks

What to Expect When BlackBerry Ltd. Reports

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Why investors should stay away from BlackBerry Ltd. (TSX:BB)(NASDAQ:BBRY) and move to Sierra Wireless, Inc. (TSX:SW)(NASDAQ:SWIR).

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Why ZCL Composites Inc. Surged Today

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Why investors should own industrial names such as ZCL Composites Inc. (TSX:ZCL) and Aecon Group Inc. (TSX:ARE).

Read more »

Investing

Waste Connections Inc. Makes Money out of Garbage

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Worried about the economy? Then buy Waste Connections Inc. (TSX:WCN)(NYSE:WCN).

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

Why Shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc. Plunged Yet Again

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Debt refinancing reminds investors of continuing trouble at Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc. (TSX:VRX)(NYSE:VRX).

Read more »

Investing

Uncovering a True Gem With a 7.98% Dividend Yield

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Student Transportation Inc. (TSX:STB)(NASDAQ:STB) is must-own stock for its dividend, its defensive business, and its bright future.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

Is the Market Overvalued? A Look at the Consumer Staples Sector

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Are Alimentation Couche Tard Inc. (TSX:ATD.B) and Saputo Inc (TSX:SAP) too richly valued?

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

Is the Utilities Sector Overvalued?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Risks for utilities such as Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) include rising interest rates, but valuations are reasonable.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

Is the Market Overvalued? A Look at the Consumer Discretionary Sector

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Valuations are getting high for consumer discretionary names such as Dollarama Inc. (TSX:DOL) and Cineplex Inc. (TSX:CGX).

Read more »

real estate building
Investing

Is the Market Overvalued? A Look at REITs

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Here's why REITs are on shaky ground in a rising interest rate environment. But NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT (TSX:NWH.UN) can…

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Is the Market Overvalued? A Look at the Financial Sector

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Here's why financials such as Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC) are poised to outperform the market.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Energy Stocks

Is the Market Overvalued?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

The energy sector represents good value, and Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) is one energy stock investors should buy.

Read more »

Tech Stocks

Why Have Avigilon Corp.’s Shares Surged 21.5% Year to Date?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

With strengthening earnings growth and improving margins, is it time to buy Avigilon Corp. (TSX:AVO)?

Read more »

Investing

Why Tricon Capital Group Inc. Surged 12% in February

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Invest in Tricon Capital Group Inc. (TSX:TCN) for exposure to the recovering U.S. housing market.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Dividend Stocks

Why Canadian Banks Will Continue to Thrive

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Rising interest rates and the strengthening oil price make Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) a must-own stock.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

Stay Away From Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc.

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Investors: stop dreaming of a comeback. Just stay away from Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc. (TSX:VRX)(NYSE:VRX).

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

Should Investors Hold On to These Stocks Trading at 52-Week Highs?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Are CCL Industries Inc. (TSX:CCL.B) and Badger Daylighting Ltd. (TSX:BAD) set to go higher?

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Has Activity in the Energy Sector Bottomed?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Why Trican Well Service Ltd. (TSX:TCW) is feeling optimistic, and why investors should, too.

Read more »

Investing

Strong Consumer Spending in the U.S.: What Does it Mean for Canada?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Why Canadian Tire Corporation Limited (TSX:CTC.A) and other Canadian retailers should thrive.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

How Investors Should Prepare for More Interest Rate Hikes

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Here's why life insurance companies such as Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC)(NYSE:MFC) will thrive in this environment.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

Why Canadian Tire Corporation Limited Shares Are Soaring Today

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

The awakening of Canadian Tire Corporation Limited (TSX:CTC.A) continues with another successful quarter.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Cineplex Inc.: A Great Addition to Your Dividend Portfolio

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Cineplex Inc. (TSX:CGX) continues to transform itself by improving the movie-watching experience while paying shareholders a nice dividend.

Read more »

Investing

Canopy Growth Corp. Releases a Strong Quarter

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Canopy Growth Corp.'s (TSX:WEED) stellar results are not enough for the market.

Read more »

Investing

CCL Industries Inc.: A Proven Money Maker for Investors

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Here's why CCL Industries Inc. (TSX:CCL.B) is a must-own stock.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Tech Stocks

Sierra Wireless, Inc.: Is it Still the Opportunity of a Lifetime?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Sierra Wireless, Inc. (TSX:SW)(NASDAQ:SWIR) rallied over 25% off strong fourth-quarter results that surpassed expectations.

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Why Mullen Group Ltd. Shares Got Hit Yesterday and Why Patient Investors Should Buy

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

The pricing environment remains tough, and demand remains stagnant, but 2017 looks promising for Mullen Group Ltd. (TSX:MTL).

Read more »

Investing

Uni Select Inc. Once Again Demonstrates the Strength of its Business

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Uni Select Inc.’s (TSX:UNS) quarterly results show continued margin improvements and opportunities for consolidation.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

Indigo Books & Music Inc.’s Quarterly Results Show Healthy Fundamentals: Why Investors Should Pay Attention

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Indigo Books & Music Inc. (TSX:IDG) posts strong quarterly results and signals strong growth ahead.

Read more »

fruits, groceries
Investing

Will SunOpta, Inc. Finally Capitalize on the Fast-Growing Organic Foods Market?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

After struggling with margins and growth, SunOpta, Inc. (TSX:SOY)(NASDAQ:STKL) may finally be positioned for sustainable growth and profitability.

Read more »

The Motley Fool
Investing

After a 92% 2-Year Return, Is Uni-Select Inc. Overvalued?

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Is Uni-Select Inc. (TSX:UNS) trading at reasonable multiples considering the quality of the company and the opportunities ahead of it?

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Exco Technologies Limited Is My Value Pick for the Month

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Strong balance sheet, cash flows, and dividend hikes make Exco Technologies Limited (TSX:XTC) a good bet for investors.

Read more »

Energy Stocks

Oil-Services Companies Like Mullen Group Ltd. See Improving Fundamentals

| Karen Thomas, MSc, CFA

Mullen Group Ltd. (TSX:MTL) has proven it is a high-quality company on its way up from cyclical lows.

Read more »