The 5 Minute Investor Podcast

Government-Backed Miners: Lithium (LAC) vs. Copper & Cobalt (TMQ) | Ep. 32

This week, we're diving into the world of critical minerals and analyzing two mining stocks that have recently secured direct backing from the US government, highlighting a major trend in resource investing.
Jon Brown looks at Lithium Americas (TSX: LAC), which just finalized a massive $2.2 billion loan from the US Department of Energy for its Thacker Pass lithium project, giving the US government a direct equity stake in the company. Then, Trevor Abes profiles Trilogy Metals (TSX: TMQ), a copper and cobalt developer in Alaska whose stock tripled after the US Department of War took a 10% stake to help expedite permitting and construction for its vital projects.
This Episode's Picks:
Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC): A leading lithium developer advancing one of North America's largest lithium resources (Thacker Pass) with significant financial backing and an equity stake from the US Department of Energy.
Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX: TMQ): An exploration and development company focused on high-grade copper, cobalt, and other base/precious metals in Alaska, with direct project support and an equity stake from the US Department of War.
Topics Discussed:
Government investment as a catalyst for mining stocks.
The strategic importance of critical minerals (lithium, copper, cobalt).
US Department of Energy (DOE) loans and equity stakes.
The role of the US Department of War in resource development.
North American energy independence and securing domestic supply chains.
Analyzing high-grade base and precious metal deposits.
Further Reading & Resources:
Lithium Americas finalizes DOE loan to advance Thacker Pass project
US Government takes stake in Trilogy Metals
This week’s picks: TSX/NYSE:LAC | TSX/NYSEAM:TMQ
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Disclaimer: The material provided in this podcast is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please visit themarketonline.ca/disclaimer.
 

Post-EA Shake-Up: A Gaming Giant (TTWO) vs. An Esports Upstart (OAM) | Ep. 31

With Electronic Arts going private in a massive $55 billion deal, the public gaming market has been shaken up. This week, we analyze where investors can look now, contrasting a global publishing giant with a small-cap esports innovator.
Jon Brown looks at Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO), highlighting the immense pressure on the public company to deliver on its blockbuster franchise, Grand Theft Auto 6. Then, Trevor Abes profiles Overactive Media (TSXV: OAM), an undervalued small-cap esports company that is on the verge of profitability and is diversifying its revenue with a new AI-powered SaaS platform.
This Episode's Picks:
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO): A major global video game publisher, representing a high-stakes investment thesis centered on the successful and timely delivery of blockbuster titles like Grand Theft Auto 6.
Overactive Media Corp. (TSXV: OAM): A pure-play esports company with successful teams in Call of Duty, Valorant, and League of Legends. A potential value play with strong revenue growth, drastically reduced losses, and a new AI venture.
Topics Discussed:
The impact of the EA go-private deal on the gaming industry.
Investing in major game publishers vs. small-cap esports teams.
The hype cycle and financial impact of blockbuster games like GTA 6.
Analyzing small-cap companies on the path to profitability.
AI-powered SaaS platforms and the creator economy.
Further Reading & Resources:
EA’s $55B power play: What going private means for the industry and investors
A deep-value gaming stock on a path to profitability
OverActive Q2 2025 results: Revenue up 26%, operating expenses down 14%; launch of ActiveVoices opens new AI-based SaaS growth platform
This week’s picks: NASDAQ:TTWO | TSXV:OAM
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Disclaimer: The material provided in this podcast is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please visit themarketonline.ca/disclaimer.

Underrated REITs: Residential (CAR.UN) vs. Commercial (BTB.UN) | Ep. 30

With a more dovish interest rate environment on the horizon, we're talking about Canadian real estate stocks that could be poised for a rebound. This week, we analyze two underrated REITs with strong fundamentals and potential upside.
Jon Brown looks at Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (TSX: CAR.UN), one of Canada's largest residential landlords. He explores how its strategic acquisitions in unregulated markets and a stock price trading below fair value create a compelling opportunity for both growth and income. Then, Trevor Abes dives into BTB REIT (TSX: BTB.UN), a diversified commercial REIT whose market capitalization is trading at a significant discount to its property values, creating a potential 40%+ margin of safety for value investors.
This Episode's Picks:
Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (TSX: CAR.UN): A large-cap residential REIT with a stable monthly dividend, a strategic focus on high-demand markets, and a stock price that analysts believe is trading 20% below fair value.
BTB REIT (TSX: BTB.UN): A diversified commercial REIT (industrial, office, retail) with a proven track record of profitability and a deep value proposition, trading at a significant discount to its net asset value.
Topics Discussed:
Investing in Canadian Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).
The impact of Bank of Canada interest rate cuts on the real estate market.
Comparing residential vs. commercial REITs.
How to identify undervalued REITs and margins of safety.
The importance of monthly distributions for income investors.
Further Reading & Resources:
Rate cut opportunity: Why you should eye real estate, small-caps, and key sectors
CAPREIT reports second quarter 2025 results
A Canadian real estate stock with a margin of safety
BTB announces resilient Q2 operational results with growth in the rental renewal spread, reaching 4.8%
This week’s picks: TSX:CAR.UN | TSX:BTB.UN
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Disclaimer: The material provided in this podcast is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please visit themarketonline.ca/disclaimer.

Green Infrastructure: The Builder (BDT) vs. The Producer (BLX) | Ep. 29

This week, we're talking about companies specializing in green construction and infrastructure that are helping to expedite the energy transition. We analyze two Canadian leaders with very different roles in building a sustainable future.
Jon Brown looks at Bird Construction (TSX: BDT), a century-old company that is now a leader in sustainable development, with major contracts to build everything from green military housing to net-zero chemical plants. Then, Trevor Abes dives into Boralex (TSX: BLX), a major independent renewable energy producer whose strong growth and profitable history seem disconnected from its lagging stock price, presenting a compelling contrarian opportunity.
This Episode's Picks:
Bird Construction Inc. (TSX: BDT): A diversified Canadian construction company with a strong ESG focus, a massive backlog of green infrastructure projects, and a recent strategic acquisition.
Boralex Inc. (TSX: BLX): A major independent producer of wind, solar, and hydro power with a proven track record of growth, presenting a potential value play for contrarian investors.
Topics Discussed:
Investing in green infrastructure and construction.
The impact of government spending on sustainable development.
Contrarian investing in the renewable energy sector.
Analyzing companies with a strong ESG framework.
Comparing the investment case for a "builder" versus a "producer."
Further Reading & Resources:
Infrastructure and industrials: Bird Construction and the green building wave
Bird to acquire Canada’s largest marine infrastructure, land foundation and dredging company for $82.3 million
A green infrastructure stock with contrarian appeal
Boralex reports second quarter operating income comparable to 2024 and actively pursuing its development and construction activities
This week’s picks: TSX:BDT | TSX:BLX
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Disclaimer: The material provided in this podcast is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please visit themarketonline.ca/disclaimer.
 
 

Flow-Through Mining: A Lithium Explorer (FLM) vs. A Uranium Discoverer (FUU) | Ep. 28

This week, we're diving into the world of flow-through shares—a unique Canadian investment that offers the double benefit of equity in a mining company and a tax deduction. We're highlighting two junior miners currently raising capital through this method.
Jon Brown looks at First Lithium Minerals (CSE: FLM), an early-stage exploration company offering a ground-floor opportunity with its flow-through financing as it explores for gold, lithium, and other critical metals in Ontario. Then, Trevor Abes analyzes F3 Uranium (TSXV: FUU), a company that has already made a high-grade uranium discovery in the Athabasca Basin and is raising flow-through capital to further delineate what could be a world-class resource.
This Episode's Picks:
First Lithium Minerals Corp. (CSE: FLM): An early-stage mineral exploration company with a flow-through share offering to fund its search for gold and critical metals at its Liddicoat project in Ontario.
F3 Uranium Corp. (TSXV: FUU): A uranium exploration company with a high-grade discovery at its Patterson Lake North project, offering investors leverage to the rising uranium price plus the tax benefits of its flow-through financing.
Topics Discussed:
How flow-through shares work for investors (equity + tax deduction).
Early-stage mineral exploration for lithium and gold.
The high-grade uranium market in the Athabasca Basin.
The long-term demand forecast for uranium.
Comparing a speculative, multi-metal explorer with a more advanced discovery-stage company.
Further Reading & Resources:
First Lithium launches financing to advance Ontario project
First Lithium Minerals Announces Flow-Through Financing
A Canadian uranium stock fit for a flow-through investment
F3 Announces Upsize of Bought Deal LIFE Private Placement for Gross Proceeds of C$17 Million
This week’s picks: CSE:FLM | TSXV:FUU
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Disclaimer: The material provided in this podcast is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please visit themarketonline.ca/disclaimer.
 

Dividend Champions: Aviation (EIF) vs. Healthcare (DR) | Ep. 27

With tariff pressures and interest rate uncertainty creating a rocky economy, we're analyzing two solid dividend-paying stocks that can help investors weather the storm.
Jon Brown looks at Exchange Income Corporation (TSX: EIF), a diversified company in aviation and manufacturing that stands out for its rare and reliable monthly dividend. Then, Trevor Abes dives into Medical Facilities Corporation (TSX: DR), a company that owns specialty surgical hospitals in the US and offers a very safe quarterly dividend backed by a low payout ratio and aggressive share buybacks.
This Episode's Picks:
Exchange Income Corporation (TSX: EIF): A diversified industrial company with predictable cash flow from niche operations and an attractive monthly dividend, making it a standout for income investors.
Medical Facilities Corporation (TSX: DR): An owner of specialty surgical centers in the US, offering a stable quarterly dividend, a strong balance sheet, and a commitment to shareholder returns through buybacks.
Topics Discussed:
Dividend investing for a rocky economy.
The benefits of a monthly vs. quarterly dividend.
Analyzing diversified industrial companies.
Investing in the US healthcare and surgical center market.
The importance of a low dividend payout ratio and share buybacks.
Further Reading & Resources:
Monthly money machine: This dividend strategy stands out
A healthcare dividend stock for the long run
This week’s picks: TSX:EIF | TSX:DR
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Disclaimer: The material provided in this podcast is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please visit themarketonline.ca/disclaimer.
 
 

Old Bank, New Tech (LB) vs. A True Fintech Bank (VBNK) | Ep. 26

This week, we're looking beyond Canada's Big Six to find value and growth in the small-cap banking sector. We analyze two profitable and growing institutions that are carving out their own successful niches in a competitive industry.
Jon Brown looks at Laurentian Bank (TSX: LB), a nearly 200-year-old institution that is undergoing a major digital transformation to compete in the modern era, all while offering a stable 6% dividend. Then, Trevor Abes dives into VersaBank (TSX: VBNK), a branchless, business-to-business fintech pioneer with an impeccable credit history, which is now expanding into the US and even issuing deposits on the blockchain.
This Episode's Picks:
Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX: LB): A legacy Canadian bank in the midst of a digital transformation, offering a stable value and dividend play with the potential upside of a future takeover.
VersaBank (TSX: VBNK): A highly profitable, branchless digital bank with a unique B2B model, expanding into the multi-trillion dollar US market and innovating with blockchain technology.
Topics Discussed:
Investing in Canadian small-cap banking stocks.
The digital transformation of traditional banks.
Branchless and business-to-business (B2B) banking models.
The receivables purchase market and point-of-sale financing.
How blockchain and tokenized assets are entering the banking sector.
Further Reading & Resources:
Laurentian Bank posts Q3 2025 profit despite revenue drop
A small-cap bank excelling in the shadow of Canada’s Big Six
This week’s picks: TSX:LB | TSX:VBNK
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Disclaimer: The material provided in this podcast is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please visit themarketonline.ca/disclaimer.

ESG Investing: A Broad ETF (WSRI) vs. A Pure-Play (ANRG) | Ep. 25

This week, we're diving into the world of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and exploring two different ways to build a values-based portfolio.
Jon Brown looks at the Wealthsimple North America Socially Responsible Index ETF (TSX: WSRI), a one-stop solution for investors looking to gain diversified exposure to a basket of ESG-screened companies. Then, Trevor Abes highlights Anaergia Inc. (TSX: ANRG), a pure-play renewable natural gas technology company that is demonstrating explosive growth with a massive backlog of new contracts, including its largest to date.
This Episode's Picks:
Wealthsimple N.A. Socially Responsible Index ETF (TSX: WSRI): A diversified ETF offering exposure to socially responsible companies in Canada and the US, excluding sectors like fossil fuels, weapons, and tobacco.
Anaergia Inc. (TSX: ANRG): A global leader in converting organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG) and other sustainable solutions, showing strong revenue growth and a rapidly expanding contract backlog.
Topics Discussed:
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing.
How to use ETFs for a values-based portfolio.
The subjectivity of "socially responsible" metrics.
The renewable natural gas (RNG) and waste-to-energy industry.
Comparing a diversified ETF approach with a concentrated, pure-play stock.
Further Reading & Resources:
ESG: A new era for small-cap compliance in Canada?
Anaergia signs record contract amid improving financials
This week’s picks: TSX:WSRI | TSX:ANRG
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Disclaimer: The material provided in this podcast is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please visit themarketonline.ca/disclaimer.