Investment Q&A

Q: At what point do the banks become a screaming buy? If TD Waterhouse has correct numbers, several are now trading below book value. I have only seen this a couple of ties in my life and it has always worked out okay in the long run. Have I missed anything?

Q: I tried my bank chart system and they do not show 15 year charts.
can you tell me what was the low back the great recession 2008/2009 period, for these 2 stocks. It should give some perspective on where we were during a severe recession.

Q: Hi Peter & 5i,
Thank you for all your professional advice with your years of experience and calmness during this market turmoil.
My question is about bonds.
I have a portion of my fixed income in CBO.
Currently a retail investor can pick up some fixed income bond/debenture from the above mentioned banks with longer term maturities (say 2028 to 2030, they are callable between 2024 and 2026) with a 4% interest rate at current valuations (which are below $100). Even if they did get called then you would get the capital gain and the better interest rate for 4 to 6 years.
Do you think it would make sense to sell a bit of CBO and buy a few of these bank instruments in the current environment?
Your opinion is much appreciated. Thank you.

Q: I am a buy and hold investor with 5 to 10 years of time horizon.
Have the following 7 stocks in Canadian financials in the order of their weights in our portfolio. Financials makeup roughly 7.5% of the total portfolio including cash positions and we like their dividend. TD, RY, BNS, BMO, SLF, CM, and MFC. I like to reduce exposure to financials and also like to reduce number of different shares. Two questions:
1. Is 7.5% a reasonable weight considering the current situation?
2. Which one of these I should sell to reduce financial weight and to reduce the number of shares in financials?

Q: Good afternoon.

I’m interested in which you prefer (1 and 2) in each category below.

ATD.B, PBH, MRU, L

SLF, TD, BAM.A, TRI

WSP, SIS, CAE

CSU, SHOP, ENGH, KXS

BEP.UN, FTS, AQN

Thank you.

Q: Hello,

When I look at Canadian stocks traded on the US exchanges, why is there a yield and p/e discrepancy? Even after factoring the exchange, the Canadian stocks on US exchanges look much cheaper. Why is this? And should we be choosing the US exchange due to higher yield and lower pe?

Q: Which Canadian bank looks most attractive right now?

Q: I'm interested in the Canadian banks due to the recent drop and the dividend yield which is very attractive. I have remained in cash for most of this crisis and am anxious to buy. However, I'm very concerned that we are in for further shocks to the economy given the fallout of this virus. How much exposure on the downside do you see to the Canadian banks' balance sheets? I know that if the market goes down, everything will move in tandem but what I'm worried about is that we are in for a high number of failed small and large businesses. Also, I've left my money in US dollars for the last number of years because I think it's a better place to have money and will be buying Canadian banks listed on the USA exchange if that makes any difference. Thank you as always for your comments.

Q: Hello,

Why is TD and banks in general getting hit hard today?

Thanks!

Q: What do you advise about investing in banks given current market environment. What are the tipping points - pro and con? Which 2 or 3 banks [Canada or US} would you put on a watchlist?

Q: Are you aware of any research that provides detailed analysis regarding oil patch exposure of the big 5 banks?

Q: What would be the top 3 Canadian banks have the best/quickest rebound potential ? thanks

Q: With the current situation, what Canadian banks do you recommend that has the least exposure to energy sector?Secondly is Bank of America a good buy right now?
Thank you.

Q: In a taxable account I have TD and BNS each with $2500 losses should I sell for the capital loss and buy Royal bank. I have capital gains I can write off then

Q: I know you really like BNS but with TD at a 52 weeks low, would you pick it over BNS for a long term holding. (Building a position for dividend income)

Also, can you explain me if there is an advantage to own 2 full positions of banks vs 1 of bank and 1 of SLF (knowing that its your top insurance company pick)

Q: Assuming we get a rate cut of 0.5% by Poloz tomorrow, or, over the next few months, how bad will that impact CIBC's NIM and can we estimate the hit on their earnings? Is one bank more exposed to NIM than others? Regional banks are not reacting well right now. Thank you.

Q: Can I please have your comments on TD's recently announced earnings. Thank you.

Q: Hi 5i,

In my non-reg account I prefer to hold stocks that I can hold onto for a minimum of 3 to 5 years and possibly 10 to 20, that have a yield of around 3% to 5% with the stock price growing +/-5% annually.

Having said that, I am looking to add a stock that would be equal to approx. 1% of total portfolio value.

I am considering adding to my renewable utility stocks (BEP, AQN, INE and BLX which currently total 7.5% of total portfolio value), bank stocks (TD and RY currently 6% of total portfolio value) or telecommunications (Telus or BCE currently 0% of total portfolio). My concern with T and BCE are the current CRTC talks and what may be the market reaction to any deemed negative outcome.

Other than the above listed stocks do any others come to mind that you would recommend at this time?

Please deduct for multiple questions as you see fit.
Thanks!

Q: I have done well with MFC in my riff. No banks. Thin king to sell and buy TD. Your thoughts? Many thanks.
Ron Noble

Q: hello 5i:
recently, I asked a question about WFC. Thanks for your prompt reply. However, it leads to a second part. I already own BNS and BMO in a weighting I'm comfortable with, but do wish to add another financial (not sold on JPM). TD seems to have a large US presence, something I want, while also seeming to find favour with you over the years as a "go to" name in the financial sector. Obviously then (if I have this right), you'd take TD over WFC. But would just adding to BNS or BMO be a viable option? The only factor these banks seem to lack is the larger US presence.
thanks
Paul L