The Successful Investor, in the December, 2016, issue, says buy Imperial Oil Ltd., recently $44. The Investor said buy 29 times from February, 1997, to June, 2016, at prices ranging from $29 to $87 (the stock split 3 for 1 on May 12, 1998, and again on May 17, 2006). Assuming a $1,000 investment for each of the 29 buys, the $29,000 position is now worth $57,596. Imperial, one of the largest oil companies in Canada, has a long history of adapting to fluctuating crude prices. The most recent crash in crude prices saw oil selling at just $34 (U.S.) a barrel in January, 2016. Although prices have since rallied to around $45 (U.S.) a barrel, the Investor expects more uncertainty over the next year or so. It thus recommends Imperial as a good way to cut oil-related risk. Imperial has done a good job cutting its expenses, and it has a strong balance sheet, with just $7-billion in long-term debt (a moderate 19 per cent of market cap) and $248-million in cash as of Sept. 30. The company will likely generate $4.85 a share in cash flow next year, and currently trades at 9.1 times that forecast. Its dividend, which seems safe and has been raised each year for the past 21 years, yields 1.4 per cent. Buy.