Investment Q&A

Q: What are your thoughts on the Santander's $12.3 Bln purchase of Webstar financial group, to expand their US landscape in Mid West ? It's a Cash and stock deal and Bank confirmed that it is committed to the 5% stock buyback plan, recently approved and has surplus capital to fund this.

Santander stock has dropped 7% today, after this news release ( conversely Webstar stock popped 9% ).

How is stock's present valuation and does today's pull back present a buying opportunity, in your view ?

Thank You

Q: Hello Team,
I hold this security and I wondered what two European banks you would recommend in addition to this one.
Thank You,
Barry

Q: Could you please explain the advantages of owning Banco Santander using these 2 different ways.

Thanks
Mark

Q: When comparing SAN to JPM, I was surprised to see that SAN-ADR significantly outperformed JPM over 5, 3 , 1 years and YTD. I did not compare appreciation in shares of SAN in €. Notwithstanding remarkable appreciation in share value YTD, SAN still trades at below market multiples in its industry. Having used SAN’s services (business and personal) I find this bank to be well-run, and customer focused, far superior to Barclays , Lloyds et al . Am I missing something that justifies the low valuation? If not, do you think SAN is a good investment that could also be a reasonably good diversifier? .

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
SAN has been on a positive run this year hitting a new high. I know you do not follow European Banks. However any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Apparently they are selling their Polish Bank. So do you think all the good news has been baked in? Do you think it has any more up side or will it plateau soon and maybe retreat? Thanks for your insights!

Q: For past several weeks, International markets have been outperforming US markets. Europe, Emerging markets and Japan seem to be the standouts. Financials, particularly have done very well. MSCI Europe Financial Index is up 25% compared to -2.5% for XLF. Do you believe that this trend is not going away soon and it would make sense to diversify a portfolio with addition of European Equities ?

If so, would be your preferred route ?

What is your view on Banco Santander and ICICI Bank and whether these will be good options and serve as good proxies for these economies and markets ?

Thank You

Q: Peter and His Wonder Team
I know this bank is out of your territory. However I would appreciate your opinion. I know it has done well in the last year but am wondering what are the odds that it may go higher. I have owned it for a long time. Not sure if I should lock in a profit or take the risk that it will go higher. Thanks...your opinion is always sobering!

Q: I have some cash that I would like to put to work and I have small positions that I would like to reduce. My main objective is growth with a bias towards low beta equities at this time in my work life. I am about 4 years away from my planned retirement.

These are most of my held equities along with weightings. NVDA 13.3% CSU 6.4% BN 6.4% SAN 5.4% SHOP 4.8% CRWD 4.3% TOI 3.8% VRT 3.4% ENB 3.2% BIP-UN 2.6% BEP-UN 2.3%. The following are 1-2% positions 13.5% as group; COST TD ATZ BNS AMZN TTD PANW PRL BRK.B. The rest are< 1%/each approx 10% as group BCE ASML HPS-A TMDX ISRG TMO GSY ASPN DELL SNOW NXT.

I plan on continuing to hold most of these positions including the smaller positions (<2% positions). I would like to reduce the number of these smaller holdings.
Could you please rank these smaller positions with the keepers at one end of the spectrum to goers at the the opposite end of the spectrum.

Thanks for this.

Q: Please can I have your opinion on this bank stock. Is it a sell hold or add to a position that is finally above water.
Thanks for your help
Barry