American Tungsten Corp. (TSXV: TUNG, OTCQB: DEMRF)
Building America’s Defense Critical Metals Supply
As we enter 2026, the Canadian stock market continues its upward trajectory, with the S&P/TSX Composite Index rising approximately 4% year-to-date. Despite the optimistic market sentiment, risks such as geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and protectionist trade policies persist. The strong performance over the past 12 months has pushed valuations higher, prompting investors to seek a balanced portfolio amid ongoing uncertainties. The following three stocks may serve as references for portfolio construction.
With geopolitical tensions driving increased demand for gold and pushing gold prices to record highs, gold producers are poised to benefit. Kinross Gold Corporation boasts a diversified portfolio of mines across the United States, Canada, Brazil, and other regions. Although production at some mines temporarily declined, the company achieved steady growth in the third quarter, supported by higher gold prices. Adjusted earnings per share surged by 83.3% year-over-year. The company plans to repurchase $600 million worth of shares and maintain a quarterly dividend of $0.035 per share, translating to an annualized yield of about 0.42%. Management expects gold production to stabilize around 2 million ounces between 2026 and 2027. With a current price-to-earnings ratio of only 12.3 times, its valuation appears attractive.
The Bank of Nova Scotia has consistently paid dividends since 1833, supported by diverse revenue streams and stable cash flows. The current expected dividend yield is approximately 4.3%. Its latest financial report showed revenue and adjusted earnings per share growing by 15% and 22.9%, respectively, alongside further improvements in its balance sheet and loan-to-deposit ratio. The bank is shifting its focus toward lower-risk North American markets while scaling back investments in Latin America, aiming to enhance earnings certainty and dividend sustainability. This strategic realignment is expected to optimize operational efficiency and strengthen long-term growth potential.
Over the past decade, Waste Connections has delivered an annualized return of 18.4%, driven by a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Since 2020, the company has acquired over 100 assets, adding approximately $2.2 billion in annualized revenue. By focusing on secondary and niche markets with less competition, the company has maintained high profit margins. Going forward, Waste Connections plans to continue pursuing potential acquisition targets with annualized revenue of up to $5 billion while leveraging technologies such as robotics and optical sorting to enhance recycling efficiency. Improvements in employee engagement and safety metrics are also helping reduce turnover rates, supporting sustained margin growth.
Amid elevated valuations and persistent market risks, these three stocks offer investment ideas from the perspectives of safe-haven assets, income stability, and growth resilience. Investors may consider monitoring their financial performance and strategic execution progress in line with their own risk preferences.
