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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: Here is a general question. If anyone knew yesterday that Royal was going to report a 2 billion profit and clean beat all over, would they not have backed up the truck before today, in anticipation of a short term bounce? Instead, it is down a quarter. What does this say about the rationality of the markets. Is it possible there is more luck involved than is acknowledged and is a lot of investing similar to the lottery, notwithstanding common sense and a long term horizon. Thanks
Read Answer Asked by David on February 26, 2014
Q: Hi
I read your excellent answer to Dave this morning in which you say "The main drivers to equities are (1) earnings (2) interest rates and (3) money flows (people going to cash/shifting from bonds to stocks). If earnings are strong and growing, and interest rates are low (i.e right now), it is hard to predict a big fall in the market.
I want to buy additional shares in Royal Bank [RY] but I have been watching the price rise steadily since the summer and am severely conflicted. Do I just go ahead and buy now because of the 3 parameters you mention are in force, or do I wait for a hoped-for 5% or more market pullback?
The current payout ratio is 49% for RY and the yield only 3.81% so I would expect a dividend increase because of the rising stock price and falling yield, but with the payout ratio so high [normally in the 45% range I believe for banks] is this even likely?
Many thanks... Paul
Read Answer Asked by Paul on November 06, 2013