The Globe and Mail attempts to identify Canadian consumer cyclical stocks that are fighting for earnings in a slowing space in its Thursday, March 14, edition. The Globe's Ian Tam writes in the Number Cruncher column that despite commentary pointing to tighter pockets for the Canadian consumer, 65 of the 94 companies classified as consumer defensive or consumer cyclical sectors have posted positive returns on a year-to-date basis. Mr. Tam says investors who believe comments on consumer spending are exaggerated can consider his column's strategy, which looks for profitable companies in the consumer cyclical sector that are boosting top and bottom lines. To find these companies Mr. Tam looked at trailing return on equity and three-year average return on equity (to ensure consistent profitability). He considered profit margin from the most recently reported quarter, as well as quarterly and annual sales momentum. He also considered quarterly earnings momentum and other criteria. Mr. Tam's recommended Canadian consumer cyclical stocks are Great Canadian Gaming, BRP, Recipe Unlimited, goeasy, Gildan Activewear, Restaurant Brands International, Intertape Polymer, Magna International, Canadian Tire and Exco Technologies.