Investment Q&A

Q: Hello Peter, I wish to better understand why P/B ratio is important. What is the ideal P/B ratio for a big cap company? The P/B ratio of Royal Bank on TMX Money is 2.36, and the same ratio for National Bank is 1.96, which one has the best P/B ratio? Thanks, Gervais
http://web.tmxmoney.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=RY:TSX

Q: Hi Peter and the 5i team, It is always interesting to read the Q & A section. In relation to your reply to Maggie's question and Scot's follow up, I am as close to Harry as you can get. I purchased Royal Bank for 7.27 per share in 1994; never touched it. I have to spend the dividend as I depend on it for income (the real meaning of income-investing)so that my wife can go shopping and I go to canadian tire - the usual thing. The yield of the shares on cost is 40%. My problem is that it is getting to be 9% of the portfolio. My only regret is that I didn't do it with all my bank shares. I am putting this out to underline that it is real, not just a hypothetical situation. Henry

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

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

Q: reading some good reports about the CAN banks in the next 12 months
I presently have the Royal wondering if I should buy more of them or another one

Q: RY is down 1.60 this A.M. Earnings were announced. Is it too early for your comment? Thank you.

Q: Hi Peter. The Royal Bank (RY) has announced they will be repurchasing 30 million of their shares. What effect does this have on existing stock. An increase in value ?