Canadian General Investments in 60 seconds

Edison’s investment companies team recently published a review of Canadian General Investments (Ticker: CGI). It has significantly outperformed the Canadian market over the very long term; not many investment companies are able to report a 50-year record of outperformance. Things have been a little more challenging this year in a volatile and narrow market led by gold stocks. However, CGI’s relative performance is improving now the market is broadening out and manager Greg Eckel acknowledges that there are times when the best portfolio outcome is to leave well alone and wait for the dust to settle. As well as core long-term holdings, there are some interesting themes in the portfolio such as uranium stocks, which are not widely held, and have performed very well. Dividends are an important part of CGI’s total returns. This year has seen a step-up in the company’s annual dividend growth rate from a 4 cents per share increase over the last seven years to an 8 cents per share increase. This year will mark 12 years of consecutive higher dividends.