If you’re a Canadian investor who buys U.S. shares, you’ve an actual superpower: entry to the world’s greatest development engines. However you’ll need to sidestep the fast-moving hype cycles that may derail lots of U.S. buyers.
The most secure method is easy. Keep away from companies caught in messy transitions when one dangerous quarter can reset the story. As a substitute, favour firms with regular demand, pricing energy, and a monitor report of turning scale into money. The U.S. market presents each in abundance, generally in the identical sector, which is why inventory selecting issues greater than ever.
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An individual stands in entrance of a number of doorways representing totally different U.S. inventory choices for Canadian buyers.
INTC
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) seems to be like a U.S. inventory to keep away from right now as a result of it nonetheless sits mid-pivot, and pivots punish buyers who need calm. Intel makes CPUs and different chips, but it surely’s additionally attempting to rebuild its manufacturing edge and develop its foundry ambitions. That takes years, not quarters.
Intel reported fourth-quarter 2025 income of about US$13.7 billion, with a GAAP loss per share of US$0.12 and non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.15. For full-year 2025, income got here in round US$52.9 billion, with a GAAP loss per share of US$0.06 and non-GAAP EPS of US$0.42. It additionally guided first-quarter 2026 income to roughly US$11.7 billion to US$12.7 billion, with GAAP EPS anticipated round a US$0.21 loss and non-GAAP EPS round breakeven. That means extra near-term stress, even after 1 / 4 that beat expectations.
Valuation provides one other layer of discomfort. Intel’s trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) can look absurdly excessive as a result of earnings sit close to zero, price-to-sales sits close to 3.9. That screams uncertainty. Intel can completely win if manufacturing yields enhance, new merchandise land cleanly, and the foundry plan positive factors traction. However the dangers really feel quick. Provide constraints, margin stress, intense competitors in CPUs and synthetic intelligence (AI)-adjacent chips, and the chance that the turnaround timeline stretches once more. If there’s one U.S. inventory to keep away from, I’d say Intel matches the invoice as a result of the funding thesis is dependent upon execution perfection.
So in case your worldwide investing objective is to personal a good tech inventory and not using a white-knuckle experience, Intel is not the way in which to get there, a minimum of not simply but.
WMT
Then again, Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT) seems to be like a sensible purchase right now. It runs an enormous, sensible machine that retains working even when headlines make the markets wobble. Walmart sells groceries and necessities, but it surely now behaves like a tech-powered retailer with a rising set of higher-margin add-ons. That issues for Canadians as a result of it could possibly act as a steadier anchor in a U.S. allocation when different elements of the market really feel jumpy.
During the last 12 months, Walmart saved stacking wins within the locations buyers care about most. In its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter, it reported quarterly income of about US$190.7 billion, up 5.6%, with international e-commerce development round 24%. For fiscal 2026, it posted income of roughly US$713 billion. The larger sign got here from steerage. For fiscal 2027, Walmart guided internet gross sales development of three.5% to 4.5%, adjusted working earnings development of 6% to eight%, and adjusted EPS of about US$2.75 to US$2.85. That reads like a enterprise leaning into momentum, not bracing for impression.
Valuation shouldn’t be low-cost, and you must admit that upfront. Walmart trades at a premium a number of on many screens, with a trailing P/E 44.9, and price-to-sales round 1.44. That worth asks you to imagine Walmart can preserve increasing margins with e-commerce, promoting, and memberships, whereas additionally defending market share in a cost-conscious world. The chance is obvious. If client spending softens sharply, or if competitors forces extra discounting, the inventory may wobble as a result of expectations already sit excessive. Nonetheless, Walmart’s scale and its regular site visitors make it a uncommon “development plus defence” combine that appears buyable even in a moody market.
Backside line
Skip Intel till the turnaround stops feeling like a weekly cliffhanger. Walmart presents a steadier experience with actual catalysts tied to digital development and higher-margin income streams. Fewer surprises, extra consistency, and a enterprise mannequin that doesn’t want excellent circumstances to win.
Inventory Advisor Canada recommends U.S. shares each month, together with home decisions. In order for you extra cross-border investing concepts, give it a whirl.