Investment Q&A

Q: Hello,
I have been holding Laurentien Bank for a few years thinking it was 'cheap' as it was trading below book value. It's done terribly should I hold/sell any recommendations on an alternative holding for the long term.

Q: Can you please comment on today’s earnings release

Q: Thoughts on VIRT:US?

Q: Visa has been a growth powerhouse till recently. Within the same sector more or less what do you like and why? Is it time to move out of Visa?

Q: Both NAVI and COOP look oddly undervalued even after one factors in known problems in their business models. NAVI pays a good dividend (too good?). COOP pays none. Is NAVI’s dividend well covered? COOP appears to trade at below book or is that incorrect? What do you calculate are the PEG ratios for each of theses companies? Financial sites give differing ratios.
What do you see as vulnerabilities that are perhaps not discernible to a non-finance professional? Interest rates are likely to remain low for several years; it appears the US economy will continue to be bolstered by at least some stimulus, however modest, through to at least end of year 2021. Would either company be a probable target by a new US Admin? I would be thankful for your looking under the hood. I am concerned there might be dangers of the type that are sometimes skipped even by premium finance sites.
Would you buy either company, and if yes, your preference (if any?)

Q: Thoughts on the quarter please. Is their 5% profit margin sustainable in the future?
thank you

Q: good morning,

I have been reading that RY and TD are more full valued at present than are BNS, CM and BMO. I own all five banks and am wondering if its a good idea to sell RY and TD and buy one or more of the other three banks. If this makes sense to you, which bank(s) would I buy, in order of preference.

as always, your advice is appreciated.

Q: Can you comment on reasons for recent weakness. Would you hold on or take a loss ? I’m patient and willing to wait 12-18 months if you feel this is worthwhile.

Q: Good morning team,
I'm looking to start a half-position in a financial company with the best prospects for total return over the next 10 years to augment my current holdings of TD and SLF. Given a choice between BAM and GSY (or another name if you think there is a better option), which would you select?
Thanks in advance,
Rory

Q: What probability would you place on Canada's 5 major banks suspending or cutting dividends in the next 12 months? Is this a good time to buy those 5 stocks? Thank you

Q: I am puzzled by your July 16, 2020 comments in response to a question on JPM vs. MS. You wrote “.... we would not consider them very different overall. JPM is significantly larger” ; “ business mix is very similar”. JPM and MS look different to me. MS has no retail business . MS has or will have an even larger presence in wealth management after its announced acquisition of eTrade. The deal was announced early 2020. The transaction has been approved and is expected to close before end of year 2020. Further, the above is an all-stock deal and although that affects capital structure, it should have little impact on MS’ debt level. However I may have missed things in which case your clarification would be welcome.
If I am correct: is MS a holding that is well worth adding to? I have a full allocation to US financials but hold only a modest position in MS. I am thinking of reducing BAC, OR another US banks and add to MS. My reasoning primarily: MS is not much exposed to loan losses; the brokerage and wealth management businesses seem poised for much growth in the US; its business model looks more attractive for the next two to 3 years. Would you agree or am I missing some important factors?

Q: Hi,
To enhance growth potential in the low-interest and slow-growth environment, I am thinking of selling JPM to buy either V, MA or PYPL. Any suggestion and comment? I already own half position of V in my other account.
Thanks,
Martin

Q: I sold BNS some time back at $58.11. I had held it for income. Do you think the dust has settled enough to buy back for a long-term hold for income and some growth? I also on RBC and TD.

Q: Hello guys,

I was hoping you could help to interpret the reports from Canada's banks this past week.
On the face of it, earnings did great compared to expectations. However they largely reported these gains based on outsized returns from their capital markets divisions. I am trying to make sense of what this means in the short and long term.
Firstly, capital markets are comparatively small parts of their businesses (at RY it is normally 20% of income). Is it also safe to say that this is a reflection of both turmoil and government stimulation, and I wonder if governments will be remiss to see its money land there. A d is it repeatable.
Second, with low rates on the horizon increasingly, the Fed and other central banks appear torn about the inflation theses that they have and what to do next. For banks I understand this means margin erosion as well as potentially demand destruction from customers.

Any thoughts on progress of the sector and possible ripples to the economy are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Peter

Q: Could only find one response regarding this etf . Has your opinion changed since 2016? Aside from a fairly high MER any other drawbacks?

Q: Hello Peter, I understand that Power Corp has made nothing for investors for the past decade (apart from decent dividends). And Great-West Lifeco not much better. Recognizing that Power owns a good share of GWO, which would you prefer as an income investor going forward: POW, with an extra bit of yield and some interests other than GWO, or just GWO as a pure play on the lifeco? Thanks!

Q: Founders recent results are very encouraging in an environment where the banks are increasing their loan loss provisions. What is your opinion of their prospects?

Q: Hi 5i,

For my experience, once the bank had an issue with the U.S. Department of Justice, it will become in big big trouble for the coming ten to twenty years! Please see how the HSBC:US behave, and you will understand. It has been dropped from US$91 to US$21 from the past history, and the price now is even worst than the crisis 2008.

Q: What are your thoughts on the company ‘Afterpay’? Could they acquire or be acquired by goeasy, or even Shopify?
Thanks

Q: Hi,
In a previous question you responded:
" We would rank the banks: TD, RY, BNS"
Should I sell my BNS and swap for TD or RY? I've held it for years and basically just received the dividends.
Thanks