From Auctions to Algorithms: Brianne Gardner’s Market Trio Delivers
From industrial auctions to AI empires, Brianne Gardner’s latest stock picks highlight the strength of diversification and the resilience of quality leaders in a volatile market.
Markets have shown remarkable resilience despite the swirl of global uncertainty. In the United States, equities are holding positive ground for the week, even after bouts of volatility. Artificial intelligence remains the defining theme of 2025, and early earnings from the so-called “Magnificent Seven” made that crystal clear. <a class="tvreplink" target="_blank" href="https://www.tradingview.com/chart/?symbol=Nasdaq%3AGOOG">Alphabet’s (NASDAQ: GOOGL) strong cloud growth set the tone, while Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) reminded investors that expectations remain sky-high.
Investors are still backing the AI investment cycle, but many are watching closely to see if massive spending will translate into tangible profits. Encouragingly, leadership in the market is broadening. After a year dominated by a few tech mega-caps, sectors like banking, energy, industrials, and railways are stepping into the spotlight, signaling a healthier, more durable rally.
On the consumer side, spending remains intact, though signs of selectivity are emerging. With borrowing costs still elevated, households are tightening their belts and prioritizing value.
Geopolitical developments have also added some stability. The recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping produced a one-year trade truce, temporarily easing tariff tensions. While not a resolution, it’s seen as progress—a fragile step forward that markets have cautiously welcomed.
In Canada, the S&P/TSX Composite Index has lagged behind its U.S. counterpart but remains in positive territory. The materials sector continues to provide a solid foundation, fueled by demand for gold and copper. The Bank of Canada’s signal that rate cuts are likely over offers stability but also points to slower growth momentum. The Canadian dollar, meanwhile, has softened in response.
As 2025 winds down, the setup looks constructive. Market breadth is improving, corporate balance sheets are healthy, and diversification remains the key to navigating what’s next.
Top Picks: Brianne Gardner’s Strategy for Stability and Growth
Brianne Gardner, senior wealth manager at Velocity Investment Partners under Raymond James, remains focused on quality, diversification, and value. Her latest top picks—RB Global (TSX: RBA), TMX Group (TSX: X), and Meta Platforms (Nasdaq: META)—reflect a disciplined approach to capturing both cyclical recovery and structural growth.
RB Global (TSX: RBA)
RB Global has transformed from a traditional industrial auctioneer into a sophisticated full-service marketplace. The company now facilitates the buying, selling, financing, transport, and management of heavy equipment and vehicles. Its vast auto-salvage marketplace—where insurance companies sell written-off vehicles—creates a stable, recurring revenue stream that has strengthened its financial foundation.
Profitability continues to climb as RB Global expands into complementary services such as logistics support and title documentation, enhancing customer relationships and retention. Volumes are rebounding as business confidence returns to the construction and equipment sectors, fueling activity across its digital platforms.
With additional service rollouts and potential acquisitions in the pipeline, RB Global’s growth trajectory appears strong. The upcoming earnings release on November 6 is expected to reaffirm the company’s momentum. For long-term investors, RBA remains a compelling story of reinvention and recurring income.
TMX Group (TSX: X)
TMX Group operates the Toronto Stock Exchange and several other key trading platforms at the heart of Canada’s financial markets. What’s especially notable is its diversification. Data and analytics now account for over 42 percent of its total revenue—a segment that continues to grow at a double-digit pace. This shift helps stabilize earnings during periods of lower trading volume or reduced IPO activity.
Derivatives trading is another area of robust expansion, with volumes up 27 percent year over year. Despite a recent pullback in the share price due to fewer new listings, TMX Group maintains a strong balance sheet and continues to deliver consistent dividends. The combination of reliable cash flow and long-term growth potential makes the current dip a strategic buying opportunity.
Gardner sees TMX as a quietly powerful operator—a company whose infrastructure is essential to Canada’s capital markets and whose data business is only just beginning to shine.
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META)
Meta continues to dominate the digital landscape. In its latest quarter, revenue surged 26 percent year over year as advertisers doubled down on reaching its vast global audience. Nearly 3.5 billion people engage with a Meta platform daily, whether through Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Threads.
Short-form video remains a critical growth engine. Reels now generates more than US$50 billion annually, and monetization efficiency continues to improve. The company is also diving deeper into artificial intelligence, both for consumer products and enterprise solutions. Its AI tools—ranging from Meta AI for users to workflow optimization software for businesses—are opening new revenue channels.
Meta plans to invest between US$70 billion and US$72 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, aimed primarily at expanding its data center infrastructure and AI capabilities. The payoff is already visible through smarter ad targeting and deeper user engagement.
The recent dip in Meta’s stock price, triggered by a one-time tax payment, has not changed its fundamentals. In fact, Gardner views the pullback as an attractive entry point for long-term investors looking for growth at a reasonable price.
A Constructive End to 2025
The broader market environment heading into year-end remains positive. While volatility persists, the combination of expanding market leadership, resilient corporate earnings, and cautious central banks has provided a stable foundation. Gardner’s picks reflect this balance—companies that combine solid fundamentals with adaptability to an evolving market narrative.
AI may still dominate headlines, but the underlying story is one of diversification and durability. Whether it’s RB Global expanding beyond auctions, TMX Group capitalizing on data growth, or Meta leveraging its AI investments, each represents a strategic play on both current momentum and future resilience.
In an environment where quality counts and patience pays, Gardner’s top picks highlight that the most compelling opportunities often come from companies that quietly execute on fundamentals rather than chase the latest hype.
Conclusion
As markets adapt to shifting economic tides, investors are rediscovering the importance of balance. Gardner’s selections underscore a broader truth—sustainable performance depends on more than short-term excitement. It’s about businesses that evolve, innovate, and deliver steady returns regardless of the noise around them.
Heading into 2026, RB Global, TMX Group, and Meta Platforms exemplify that approach—each standing at the intersection of transformation, stability, and opportunity.