As 2024 draws to a close, it's time to reflect on the stock picks made by The Contra Guys and evaluate their performances. The financial landscape is always evolving, and with a good portion of the century behind us, it’s essential for investors to remain alert and adaptable.

Surprising Winners and Strategic Moves

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS-T) was highlighted as a potential buy when it was hovering under $60. The stock has since surpassed our sell target of $80, a remarkable achievement bolstered by a steady dividend of over 5%. This illustrates the value in doing your research—sometimes the market has great opportunities just waiting to be discovered.

BlackBerry Ltd. (BB-T) has been a fixture in our portfolio since 2013, albeit with ups and downs. Last year, after Ben decided to take a break from this stock, it seemed wise—especially since he jumped back in quite late, purchasing at $4.33. Now trading closer to $5.25, there are signs of life thanks to the company’s strategic sale of its Cylance division, suggesting the tide might be turning.

Turning our gaze toward China Automotive Systems Inc. (CAAS-Q), the stock's performance has been relatively stable, rising to about US$3.90 from just above US$3 earlier this year. With a diversified clientele that includes major players like General Motors and Volkswagen, there are optimistic projections for continued growth, despite geopolitical risks.

Bird Construction Inc. (BDT-T) has been another star of 2024, climbing from a buy-in price of $4.70 to sales around $31.63. This stock has proven to be a significant win, prompting strategic sell-offs to capitalize on high prices while waiting for the ultimate place to offload the remainder of the shares.

The Crypto Conundrum

Ben’s cautious stance towards cryptocurrencies remains intact. Although Bitcoin has hit new highs, he continues to advise against speculative investments, given the unpredictability and lack of long-term data. His son Caellum’s success with Bitcoin is a light in the dark, but Ben believes that investment in established companies is a much safer path.

Interestingly, our analysis of Pan American Silver Corp. (PAAS-T) revealed a concerning trend as the stock has plateaued around $30 after previously reaching a peak of $35. This serves as a reminder that even high-potential stocks can experience volatility.

Sector Plays to Watch

With Extendicare Inc. (EXE-T), we have been keeping an eye on the future of an aging population. Although currently trading around $10, the demographic trends suggest potential growth as the company expands its operations.

Lloyd’s Banking Group PLC (LYG-N), with its historical significance dating back to 1695, still lingers near its entry price of about $2.75, but we are hopeful it could double in the future with solid fundamentals backing its recovery.

The beverage industry remains buzzing with uncertainty as Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. (CSW.A-T) navigates new acquisitions and potential debt implications. The stock remains on our radar, with a dividend that is enticing for investors.

Emerging Concerns and Areas for Reevaluation

The Brazilian conglomerate Ambev SA (ABEV-N) presents a mixed bag of risk and opportunity, trading below its book value while facing potential nationalization risks in Brazil's unstable political climate.

Meanwhile, United Guardian Inc. (UG-Q) has maintained a steady dividend yield but has seen minor fluctuations around the $10 mark. As for Mattr Corp. (MATR-T), the transformation from an oil and gas focus to growth in other sectors hasn’t excited investors yet—a potential reevaluation of targets is on the horizon.

As we look ahead, stocks post-September are too new for comprehensive evaluations, but stay tuned for the next round of assessments in 2025.

In the immortal words of Marthe Troly-Curtin, 'Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.' Let's make the most of our investment journeys while keeping an eye open to new opportunities!