The Globe and Mail attempts to identify companies growing consistently at a reasonable price in its Thursday, Feb. 9, edition. The Globe's Ian Tam writes in the Number Cruncher column that for those who subscribe to the school of GARP (growth at a reasonable price) investing, this week's strategy may offer some fresh ideas. To accomplish this, Mr. Tam ranked stocks on the following factors: Forward PEG ratio (a classic GARP metric that compares the forward price-to-earnings ratio with the forward growth rate of earnings. This answers the question: Am I paying too much for growth? lower figures preferred); earnings variability (measures how consistent a company's earnings have been historically -- lower figures preferred); industry-relative price-to-book ratio (lower figures preferred); and five-year sales growth. To qualify, stocks must have an average monthly value of shares traded of $4.5-million or greater. Stocks must have a debt-to-equity ratio that is less than or equal to that of the industry median to avoid overly leveraged companies. Mr. Tam recommends buying Magna International, Toronto-Dominion Bank, National Bank of Canada, Canadian National Railway and Gildan Activewear.