Every so often, I compile the responses to the survey at the bottom of each issue of Cabot Wealth Advisory and from our welcome survey, which is sent to new subscribers. This week, it was time to read the results and there were some very interesting responses. Most responses were complimentary and some contained specific questions or requests for information, which is what I’m going to address today.

A few readers asked whether we cover Canadian stocks traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (known as the TSX) and the answer to that question is yes. Canadian stocks traded on the TSX are included in the Dick Davis Digest and Income Digest recommendations. Cabot publications focus on stocks of companies located anywhere in the world, as long as their stocks are traded on U.S. exchanges. Here’s an example of a stock traded on the TSX that was featured in Dick Davis Digest in December of last year:

“In the first nine months, Russel Metals, Inc. (RUS.TO 17.65 Toronto) earned $200 million, or $3.15 a share, up sharply from $85.9 million, or $1.36 a share, a year earlier. All three segments earned more: metals service centers, energy tubular products and steel distributors. Revenue jumped 28.7 percent, to $2.5 billion. Its costs grew by a lower 21.2 percent. Only the net interest cost rose faster than revenue. But this is a tiny cost, given the firm’s low debt. In the first nine months, cash flow more than doubled to $227 million. This greatly exceeded net capital spending of $14 million and dividend payments of $88.5 million. The company used $46 million of extra cash flow to buy its own shares. The plunge in the price of oil and gas could hurt demand for energy tubular products, especially in Alberta’s oil sands. Demand by conventional producers in the U.S. and Canada should hold up better. Russel’s outlook is favorable. The company has raised its dividend every year since 2002. While we don’t expect it to do so in 2009, the dividend of $1.80 a share yields 11.11 percent. Buy.”  Advice For Investors, http://www.adviceforinvestors.com, 800-804-8846, 52 issues/updates, 12/3/08

A few other readers were interested in conservative investing strategies, much like the value investing system that’s practiced in Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Letter. Here’s what I wrote about that investment advisory last July:

“Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Letter, launched in 2003, uses the teachings of Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing, in a system that safely builds long-lasting wealth. Unlike Cabot’s growth publications, the letter doesn’t use market timing, instead relying on a 76-year-old system, followed by investors such as billionaire Warren Buffett, to pick undervalued stocks and hold them as they reach a specified valuation.

“Value investing is about finding stocks that the market has not correctly priced … in other words, a stock that is worth more than is reflected in the current price. Value investing has been proven to work well over time if you buy carefully, follow a proven system and hold for the long term. Most subscribers to Benjamin Graham Value Letter are looking for ways to safely build wealth over the long term. They want to go on vacation without worrying about their stocks.

“The main goal of the Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Letter is to provide you with exceptional stock recommendations using the techniques pioneered by Benjamin Graham. Our second goal, no less important, is to give you the confidence to buy those stocks and the patience to hold them to fruition. If we can achieve those goals, we’re confident you’ll achieve yours, and together we’ll have a long and prosperous relationship.”

What’s on your mind? Let us know in the comments section!