Greg Newman, Senior Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager at Newman Group – ScotiaMcLeod, shared his latest market insights and top stock selections for investors navigating North American equities and dividend stocks as of May 30, 2025. His outlook suggests a cautious yet constructive approach is warranted, emphasizing the importance of quality and asset allocation in the current environment.
Contents
Key takeaways include his perspectives on macroeconomic uncertainties like tariffs and potential fiscal stimulus, and his top picks: Brookfield Corp., Manulife Financial, and Citigroup, each highlighted for their balance of growth, value, and dividends.
Market Outlook: Navigating Uncertainty
Newman’s market perspective highlights several key factors influencing investment decisions. Lingering questions surrounding the impact of tariffs and their potential effect on the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy path remain central. While acknowledging that stock valuations aren’t cheap and the economic outlook presents a mixed picture, Newman maintains a fundamentally positive stance.
He suggests that potential fiscal stimulus, referred to as the “big, beautiful Bill,” is likely to be stimulative for the economy. However, this doesn’t negate the need for prudence. Investors are advised to maintain a thoughtful asset allocation strategy and prioritize high-quality companies in their portfolios.
Top Stock Picks for May 30, 2025
Newman presented three specific stock recommendations for investors to consider:
Brookfield Corp. (BN NYSE)
Brookfield is highlighted as an opportunity offering investors a balance of growth potential at what Newman considers a reasonable price. This suggests an attractive entry point for a company known for its diverse asset portfolio and long-term growth initiatives.
Manulife Financial (MFC TSX)
For investors seeking income alongside growth, Manulife is noted for providing decent growth prospects at a compelling price. The inclusion of a “nice dividend” makes it particularly appealing for those focused on total return through both capital appreciation and regular income payouts.
Citigroup (C NYSE)
Citigroup stands out in Newman’s picks, described as offering “nice growth at a very compelling price” coupled with a “nice dividend.” The emphasis on a “very compelling” price point suggests a strong value proposition for the financial giant, potentially indicating that its current valuation does not fully reflect its growth potential or dividend yield.
Read more about market strategies and financial planning: [Link to Related Financial Planning Article]
Performance of Past Picks (June 14, 2024)
Newman also provided an update on the performance of three stocks he recommended on June 14, 2024:
- Bombardier (BBD/B TSX): Saw a positive return, climbing from $84.25 to $95.53, resulting in a 13% return and 13% total return.
- TFI International (TFII TSX): Experienced a significant decline, falling from $188.90 to $118.52, marking a -37% return and -36% total return.
- Amazon (AMZN NASD): Showed solid performance, increasing from US$183.66 to US$203.95, delivering an 11% return and 11% total return.
Collectively, these past picks delivered an average total return of -4% over the tracking period, illustrating the inherent volatility and mixed outcomes possible in stock market investments.
Visual representation of Greg Newman's stock picks performance from June 2024: Bombardier, TFI International, and Amazon returns.
Explore past market commentary: [Link to Archive of Market Updates]
Disclosure
As is standard practice, Greg Newman disclosed his holdings in the discussed securities. He holds personal, family, and portfolio/fund positions in Brookfield Corp. (BN NYSE), Manulife Financial (MFC TSX), and Citigroup (C NYSE). Similarly, he held personal, family, and portfolio/fund positions in the past picks discussed: Bombardier (BBD/B TSX), TFI International (TFII TSX), and Amazon (AMZN NASD).
This information is provided for context regarding potential conflicts of interest.
For more insights into market trends and expert analysis, consider exploring our related articles: [Link to Related Market Trends Article] or [Link to Related Stock Analysis Article].
