Public relations may be seen as the black art of conjuring images of virtuous public-spiritedness from the tawdry rationalizations and misdemeanours of businesspersons of accommodating principle.(Business Edge columnist Gyle Konotopetz regularly profiles the top three stock picks of some of Canada's most accomplished investment pros.)

FEATURED PRO: Jackee Pratt has been vice-president and portfolio manager with Mavrix Fund Management since February of 2004 and has 30 years of experience in the investment business. She manages the Mavrix Diversified Fund and the Mavrix Canada Fund.

Fund Form: The Mavrix Diversified Fund has a one-year return of 8.56 per cent.

Management Expense Ratio: 2.68 per cent.

Jackee Pratt

Pratt's Perspective: "We have a positive outlook as we're seeing continued global growth with China being a driver and the world's largest economy. The U.S. is still growing, albeit at a slower rate. In the U.S., 3.4 per cent is still a good rate of growth. In terms of interest rates, I think they're still low relative to historical parameters.

"I still like some of the energy stocks and basically what I do with oil and gas companies and with energy trusts is try to assess a cash-flow number at commodity prices that are lower than current levels. If they still look cheap then, then I think it's a buy. So, basically, I try to do a conservative cash-flow estimate."

First Star

* Esprit Energy Trust (TSX:EEE.UN)

* Recent Price: $13.45.

* 52-Week Range: $11.96-$13.65.

* Snapshot: Esprit is an oil and gas income trust with properties concentrated in Alberta. Current production is about 19,250 barrels of oil equivalent per day, 80 per cent of which is in natural gas.

* CEO: Steve Savidant.

* Head Office: Calgary.

* Vital Stats: Monthly Cash Distribution, 14 cents per unit; Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 17.11; Revenue (last 12 mos), $182.06 million; Earnings (last 12 mos), $31.44 million; Market Cap, $541.8 million; Units Outstanding, 40.2 million.

* Pratt's View: "Steve Savidant used to run Canadian Hunter Exploration (acquired) in a relatively conservative manner, so I think he's the right person to be running an energy trust. I like it because it has a good, long reserve life index, low payout ratio and a reasonable debt-to-cash-flow ratio."

* Pratt's Risk Rating: Medium.

* Web Watch: www.esprit.com

Second Star

* Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE:VLO)

* Recent Price: $88.32 US.

* 52-Week Range: $31.79-$90.32.

* Snapshot: Valero owns and operates 15 refineries with throughput capacity, including crude oil and other feedstock, of approximately 2.5 million barrels per day. The company sells refined products through a network of more than 4,700 outlets in Canada, U.S. and Aruba.

* CEO: Bill Greehy.

* Head Office: San Antonio, Tex.

* Vital Stats (U.S. dollars): Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 10.6; Revenue (last 12 mos), $62.7 billion; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 38.3 per cent; Earnings (last 12 mos), $2.3 billion; 5-Yr Earnings Growth, 22.4 per cent; Market Cap, $22.67 billion; Shares Outstanding, 256.7 million; Dividend Yield, 0.50 per cent.

* Pratt's View: "This is one of the top U.S. refining companies and one of the purest plays on the tight North American refining markets. There's a scarcity of good-quality refiners in North America. I see good growth and I think that the consensus earnings estimate ($8.79 for 2005) is too low.

I think the stock right now should be trading above $100."

* Pratt's Risk Rating: Medium.

* Web Watch: www.valero.com

Third Star

* Dorel Industries (TSX:DII.SV)

* Recent Price: $36.85.

* 52-Week Range: $32.25-$46.79.

* Snapshot: Dorel manufactures consumer products through three segments - juvenile products, home furnishings and recreational/leisure items. Key products include infant carseats, highchairs, futons and Schwinn bicycles.

* CEO: Martin Schwartz.

* Head Office: Montreal.

* Vital Stats: Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 9.1; Revenue (last 12 mos), $2.2 billion; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 13.9 per cent; Earnings (last 12 mos), $133.6 million; 5-Yr Earnings Growth, 25.2 per cent; Market Cap, $1.21 billion; Shares Outstanding, 25.2 million.

* Pratt's View: "This company warned in July that the second half (of '05) would be weaker than some analysts had been anticipating and the stock corrected. I think that it over-corrected, so I am positive that this one will move back up after the market stabilizes. I think the stock looks really cheap and I would use a low-$40 to mid-$40 target based upon a 12 to 13 multiple (price/earnings ratio) on my 2006 tax-adjusted estimates. I added to my position when it corrected."

* Pratt's Risk Rating: Medium.

* Web Watch: www.dorel.com

Disclosure: The featured stocks are held in the Mavrix Diversified or Mavrix Canada funds. Pratt says she does not own the individual stocks or the funds in which they are held.

(This feature is provided for information purposes. Investors are advised to do their own research or consult a registered investment professional before making investment decisions.)