Being a good long-term investor starts with thinking more like a trader. That’s the view of Diana Avigdor of Barometer Capital Management. Diana blends tactical trading discipline with long-term portfolio construction. And her philosophy is simple. While you can like a company’s fundamentals, price action in the stock has to fit the narrative. When it doesn’t, your money may be better invested elsewhere. In this episode, Diana explains her strategy and highlights 9 stocks. As always, this is not financial advice.
What if becoming a better long-term investor starts with thinking more like a trader?
In the latest episode of Ticker Take on YouTube, I spoke with Diana Avigdor, Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading at Barometer Capital Management, about how she blends tactical trading discipline with long-term portfolio construction.
Her core philosophy is simple.
Price action has to fit the narrative.
It is not enough to like a company’s fundamentals. The stock has to behave properly. If the price breaks down, capital can be redeployed elsewhere. Opportunity cost matters.
Avigdor’s career has spanned trader, analyst, portfolio manager, and back to trading. She says that experience reinforced two lessons. No one can consistently predict the macro environment. And losses must be kept small because the math and psychology of drawdowns can quickly damage returns.
That means disciplined selling, defined technical levels, monitoring relative strength, and raising cash when conditions warrant. During the financial crisis, her team held more than 50 per cent cash at one point. Even recently, cash levels have moved tactically as markets shifted.
The framework is not about day trading. It combines cash flow analysis, PEG ratios instead of simple P/E comparisons, global money flows, and expanding market breadth with strict risk management.
With that backdrop, here are nine stocks currently fitting her narrative.
Lam Research offers exposure to semiconductor capital spending and AI infrastructure. Avigdor says the stock works as long as earnings momentum and price strength confirm each other.
Alphabet remains a core technology holding. Strong cash flow, global scale, and sustained relative strength keep it aligned with her process.
Nvidia has defined much of the AI cycle. Avigdor focuses on whether growth expectations remain supported by price momentum rather than reacting to valuation headlines.
Caterpillar reflects a reflationary and infrastructure theme. Global capital spending supports the story, but only if the stock continues to trade constructively.
JPMorgan provides diversified exposure to lending, capital markets, and wealth management. Avigdor sees it as a high-quality way to participate in economic acceleration.
Regional banks are a more tactical position. Avigdor believes improving economic conditions can support loan growth, while defined risk levels protect against downside.
Regions Financial fits the same domestic growth thesis. As always, the narrative must be confirmed by steady price action.
Gold has had a strong run. Avigdor trimmed exposure but still holds Agnico Eagle as part of a diversified approach. Even defensive holdings are subject to disciplined selling rules.
Among Canadian financials, Royal Bank offers exposure to capital markets and global diversification. It aligns with her broader theme of international money flows and expanding breadth.
The Ticker Take
Investing is often framed as a choice between trading and buy and hold.
Avigdor argues that is a false choice.
Long-term portfolios can benefit from trading discipline. Keep losses small. Let winners run. Follow global money flows. And above all, ensure price action supports the narrative.
In fast-moving markets, flexibility can be as important as conviction.
Jon Erlichman is a BNN Bloomberg contributor and the host of Ticker Take on YouTube.