Raymond James Ltd. today released its Canadian equity analysts’ Best Picks list for 2003.

The list, according to Darren Martin, director of Raymond James’ Canadian equity research team, highlights nine individual stocks of Canadian companies that Raymond James analysts expect will produce superior results during the upcoming year.

The nine stocks are: Astral Media; MacDonald; Dettwiler; Saputo; Canadian 88 Energy; NOVA Chemicals; Tesco; Finning International; Petro-Canada; and Western Oil Sands.

“This is a static, one-year list, and only those companies with a Strong Buy rating from a Raymond James analyst qualified,” said Martin. “Although unforeseen elements can affect any company’s stock performance, our analysts are confident that the fundamentals of these firms are sound and should produce enhanced value for investors during 2003.”

The Canadian list is modeled after the firm’s U.S. Best Picks. Over the past five years, Raymond James’ U.S. Best Picks list has returned an average of 47.4% growth annually. “The fact that the Raymond James U.S. Best Picks list has outperformed the S&P 500 by 45.9% on average annually over the past five years and outperformed for seven consecutive years is a most notable accomplishment. We hope to continue this tradition of top performance with our Canadian Analysts’ Best Picks,” said Martin

The U.S. Analysts’ Best Picks for 2003 was released last week and includes 11 individual stocks: CBRL Group; JetBlue Airways; Republic Services; Centex; Priority Healthcare; U.S. Bancorp; Federated Investors; Patterson-UTI Energy; WellPoint Health Networks; Home Depot; and Pioneer Natural Resources.

Raymond James reports that, within the last 24 months, the firm or its affiliates has undertaken an underwriting liability or has provided advice for a fee with respect to the securities of MacDonald, Dettwiler & Associates, Saputo, and Western Oil Sands.

Effective September 2002, Raymond James analysts and their families are forbidden from investing in companies they cover. Prior to those rules taking effect, a couple of analysts have long positions in Finning International, and one analyst is long on Saputo.