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Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
U.S. trade frameworks create 'shifting landscape' as B.C. looks to cultivate LNG markets
At the same time Premier David Eby was touting B.C.'s potential to export liquefied natural gas to Asia, U.S. President Donald Trump was unveiling his county's trade framework agreement with South Korea, which included a commitment to purchase US$100 billion of American LNG. Tying energy to easing up on tariff threats has become a common theme in Trump's attempt to reorder the U.S. trading landscape, either with purchase commitments or contributions to American energy infrastructure, an element in a framework reached with Japan. Such agreements create a 'shifting landscape' for the LNG market that Canada will have to navigate with partners apparently willing to pay premiums for American energy in exchange for their 'strategic partnership' with the U.S., said University of B.C. trade economist Werner Antweiler. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Eby's Asia trade mission, mere weeks before the U.S. deals were announced, sought to cultivate B.C.'s trade relationship with both countries, and he left sounding assured about the province's potential. Eby spoke about meetings B.C. representatives had with LNG Canada's key partners: the Korean gas utility KOGAS, Mitsubishi in Japan and Malaysia's Petronas, where executives 'underlined how important it was to them that this project was able to be reliable.' However, Antweiler, chair in international trade policy at UBC's Sauder School of Business, noted that the U.S. is also willing to 'simply use their influence to bully trade partners into beneficial trade deals on energy. 'Some have called it a protection racket,' Antweiler said. 'Korea buys U.S. energy at a premium or preferentially, and in turn U.S. provides military protection, rather than for the U.S.'s own geostrategic benefit.' LNG's buyers — major utility firms — purchase fuel on long-term contracts and Antweiler said it is likely the South Korea deal will result in a 'reshuffling market share,' with new U.S. imports replacing its expiring contracts with Qatari LNG suppliers. 'Their overall demand for LNG is not increasing much and is down from a peak in 2021,' Antweiler said. In rough estimate, he estimated it could increase the U.S. share of South Korea's market to about one third from five per cent now. In the case of Japan, the notice from Trump's White House dated July 23, said the sides are 'exploring a new offtake agreement for Alaskan LNG,' with a proposal that is in its early stages, but which is vying for the same market share as B.C. 'Japan's commitment to Alaskan LNG may be looked at through the perspective of energy security too,' Antweiler said. Energy Minister Adrian Dix argued that the LNG projects in the works 'have real advantages over other projects, say the Alaska project, and everything else.' 'Obviously we only control what we control, the provincial and the federal government,' Dix said. However, he added that the provincial and federal governments are 'working closely' with LNG Canada related to the company's yet-to-be approved Phase 2. LNG Canada, a consortium of five partners including Shell, Malaysian state-owned Petronas, PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corp. and KOGAS, is contemplating a $30-billion addition to its Kitimat plant that would nearly double its capacity to 26 million tonnes of LNG per year from 14 million tonnes per year now. A spokesperson for LNG Canada said the company itself isn't involved in sales: its joint-venture partners determine where the product is delivered and sold. Dix, however, said 'we feel that our (LNG Canada Phase 2) is a really outstanding project and we're optimistic about it. But at the same time, it's not entirely our decision. It is a reason why you want to settle all the issues so that the sooner they move forward, the better it is for B.C. and for everybody.' Dix added that before now, B.C. didn't have the option of offshore exports for natural gas, the province's biggest export commodity, worth $16 billion in trade in 2024. And the U.S. trade deals underline the importance for B.C. to diversify. 'If you ask me, do I worry? I worry every day about everything,' Dix said. 'Because there's a lot at stake for B.C. and we've got to continue to meet our economic goals, we've got to continue to create more wealth and energy sovereignty.' Antweiler said Canada might need to turn to 'countries that are not constrained by trade deals with the United States.' 'It's all a matter of reshuffling trade directions, but in the end the LNG market is global,' he added. 'World supply and world demand must be clear, no matter what the U.S. does.' depenner@
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
The Best Growth Stocks I'd Buy Right Now
Key Points Intuitive Surgical continues to lead the way in robotic surgical instruments. Restaurant chain Cava Group is making strides where some rivals are faltering. 10 stocks we like better than Intuitive Surgical › If you're a growth-oriented investor like me, you've probably seen your portfolio experience its fair share of ups and downs the last few years. While the market has rebounded to new heights and many growth businesses have recovered spectacularly, results have varied by individual stock. As always, it's important to look beyond a stock's price and see what's happening behind the scenes. A share price may be up or down for a good reason, but you need to understand the factors driving these movements before you hit the buy button. On that note, here are two top growth stocks to consider if you have cash to invest right now. 1. Intuitive Surgical Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) has been known for its pioneering role in robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci surgical system since its first platform was approved more than two decades ago. The da Vinci system provides surgeons with enhanced dexterity, precision, and control during minimally invasive procedures including thoracic, gynecologic, and general surgeries. These systems allow for a wider range of motion than the human hand and wrist, translating surgeon movements into precise instrument actions within a patient's body. This is particularly helpful for complex procedures in confined spaces, but can also improve surgery outcomes, shorten recovery time, and reduce the risk of adverse complications. Intuitive Surgical's revenue comes from three different sources: system sales, instruments and accessories, and services. What might be surprising is that Intuitive's most significant revenue stream is selling instruments and accessories such as forceps, scissors, scalpels, drapes, and vision products. Once a da Vinci system is installed in a hospital, each surgery performed using that system requires these specialized instruments and accessories, many of which are single-use or need to be replaced after a set number of uses. Of course, as systems can cost $1 million or more apiece, one-time sales, as well as usage-based or lease-type sales of systems, are a key driver of revenue. Finally, the services business encompasses the comprehensive support provided to customers, including installation, maintenance, and repair of surgical systems. Intuitive typically includes service contracts with the initial sale of a da Vinci system, providing ongoing revenue through annual fees. These contracts can vary in price depending on the system configuration and the scope of services included. The company's new da Vinci 5 platform is now broadly available in the U.S., and limited launches are starting in Europe and Japan after receiving the necessary regulatory clearances. The da Vinci 5 system has been well-received so far, with over 100,000 procedures already performed since its initial approval in the U.S. in early 2024. Intuitive Surgical's revenue growth for the first half of 2025 totaled $4.69 billion, a healthy 20% increase from the $3.9 billion it reported in the first half of 2024. Net income for the first six months of 2025 came to $1.4 billion, up 27% on a year-over-year basis. And the average consensus 12-month price target from analysts suggests a potential upside of approximately 20% from current share prices. If you're a long-term investor who wants a piece of the action of a top-notch healthcare stock, definitely consider Intuitive Surgical. 2. Cava Group Cava Group (NYSE: CAVA) is a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain that offers customizable bowls, salads, and pitas with a focus on fresh, healthy ingredients. The company also produces and sells a line of Mediterranean dips, spreads, and dressings available in grocery stores. Cava has been a standout example of a fast-casual restaurant that's expanding gradually and strategically without sacrificing its financial health. In fact, Cava's financials keep looking better and better. Revenue reached $329 million in the first quarter of its fiscal 2025, a 28% increase compared to the same period last year. Same-store sales also increased by 10.8% in Q1, while Cava opened 15 new restaurants in the three-month period alone. That rate of expansion brought its restaurant total to 382 locations across 26 states and the District of Columbia. The company is also building a consistent track record of profitability. Its Q1 net income of nearly $26 million was almost double that of the previous year. And Cava is targeting 1,000 restaurants by 2032, a significant expansion of its current footprint. Importantly, restaurant-level profit of $82.3 million was up 27.4% in Q1 on a year-over-year basis, and restaurant-level profit margin was 25.1%. These are impressive figures for a fast-casual restaurant that's still in the relatively early stages of its growth story. Cava has shown resilience in navigating macroeconomic headwinds by focusing on strategic pricing, guest engagement, and operational excellence. The restaurant stock seems to be resonating with consumers, providing a strong value proposition in a sector of the restaurant industry that's highly competitive and fragmented. If you have the risk appetite to invest in a business operating in a more cyclical consumer-facing space, Cava looks like a quality buy to consider right now. Should you invest $1,000 in Intuitive Surgical right now? Before you buy stock in Intuitive Surgical, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Intuitive Surgical wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $624,823!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,064,820!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,019% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 178% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
7 Things to Know About Amazon -- Some May Surprise You
Key Points Amazon is one of Earth's biggest employers. Interestingly, "Amazon" was not its original name. The company is home to a wide range of businesses. 10 stocks we like better than Amazon › No matter how well we may think we know a company, there are still likely to be things about it that can surprise -- or amuse -- us. For example, one of the two brothers who founded Domino's Pizza traded his share of the company to the other brother for a used Volkswagen Beetle. Here's a look at Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and some interesting things about it which you might not know. 1. Its logo has a message Check out the Amazon logo, and you'll see an arrow under the word "Amazon." You might not think much of it, but upon closer inspection, you'll see that it's connecting the letters A and Z -- reflecting the fact that Amazon's sells everything from A to Z. 2. Its name wasn't always Amazon When Amazon was founded in 1994, its name was Cadabra, as in abracadabra. It was soon decided that the name, while whimsical, was sometimes misheard as "cadaver." Founder Jeff Bezos started searching for a new name and wanted one that began with "A" -- so that it would appear early in lists -- and he settled on the name of the world's longest river. 3. It's a major employer Many investors strongly favor companies with capital-light business models over capital-intensive ones -- such as airlines and railroads. Airbnb, for example, is quite capital-light, needing no stores, carrying no inventory, etc. As an e-commerce giant, you might assume that Amazon is capital light, too, as, unlike Walmart, it doesn't have thousands of stores across the country. It's still a major employer, though, as it employs gobs of people in its distribution centers as well as drivers for deliveries. As of the end of 2024, Amazon employed about 1,556,000 full-time and part-time employees -- which doesn't even include independent contractors and temporary workers. That's enough to make it the world's second-largest employer, per 4. Its big numbers are really big Consider this: While most companies sport market capitalizations in the millions or billions, Amazon is in elite company with a market cap in the trillions -- $2.45 trillion, recently. It's also one of the " Magnificent Seven" stocks, along with Apple, (Google parent) Alphabet, (Facebook parent) Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The company rakes in some $650 billion annually -- and keeps about 10% of that as net profit. Numbers like that have really helped the company grow -- by an annual average rate of 32% since its initial public offering (IPO) in May 1997. That's enough to turn an investment of $10,000 into close to $26 million! If you'd bought just one share at the IPO, thanks to various stock splits, you'd now own 220 shares, and your initial $18 investment would be worth more than $50,000. Meanwhile, founder Jeff Bezos was recently the third-richest person in the world, per Forbes -- with a net worth of about $244 billion. 5. Its brand name is very valuable Various companies assess the value of global brands regularly, and per Brandirectory, Amazon is the fourth-most-valuable brand in the world, after Apple, Microsoft, and Google. Its brand value is listed as $356 billion. 6. It makes more on services than products We tend to think of Amazon as a massive online retailer, which it certainly is. But it's also a major operator in the cloud computing realm, with its leading Amazon Web Services (AWS). In the company's first quarter, 59% of its revenue came from services. (It's worth noting that AWS's lead in market share has been shrinking recently.) 7. Amazon is much more than a marketplace and more than a cloud platform Amazon is home to lots of different businesses and brands -- which recently included Whole Foods Market, shoe retailer Goodreads, Twitch, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), and Audible. It also makes and sells devices under the Alexa, Kindle, Fire, Ring, and Blink names, and features a host of services under its Amazon Prime umbrella, including Prime Video and Prime Music. Then there's One Medical, with which Amazon has expanded into healthcare (along with other operations such as PillPack), and Zoox, which is a self-driving vehicle start-up. Amazon also bought the Kiva Systems robotics company, and is using its robots in its distribution centers. Amazon has plenty of cash on hand, so stay tuned for further investments and expansions. These are just some of many fascinating things to know about Amazon. If you're thinking of investing in Amazon or are already a shareholder, it can be helpful to learn all you can about the company. Should you invest $1,000 in Amazon right now? Before you buy stock in Amazon, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Amazon wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $624,823!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,064,820!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,019% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 178% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025 Selena Maranjian has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Domino's Pizza, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Volkswagen Ag and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
