Investment Q&A

Q: Some pundits seems to push BNS and TD as the 2 best banks. But, when I checked this morning, I found BNS had dropped much more than the others. BNS-1.14, BMO-.17, CM-.09, RY-.28, TD-.10.
I just do not understand the enthusiasm for BNS when so many of its branches are in very unstable countries; Mexico, Central and South America. The thought would bother me if I had a position in it. Comment?

Q: I just saw an article probably announced by the Feds in the latest budget that there will be new legislation on "Bail-In" for banks. I don't know too much about the details, but from my understanding the current framework is that the gov't will step in if the economy is bad enough to help support the banks from collapsing or failing.

The latest change will make it that the creditors of the banks will be on the hook and will have an option to swap their bonds to equity?
Is that correct and what is your take on how this will affect the risk of Canadian Banks?

Q: I'm ready to buy into a Canadian Bank. It seems like the stock prices in the last two years have fallen to the point where buying it makes sense to lock in some juicy dividends.

But while I've been waiting around, there is this nagging feeling that the Canadian Banks have some bad loans on the books. I know there is a lot of talk about their Oil and Gas loan book and potential defaults. In the last 4 quarters it seems there hasn't been any sign of it yet (so far) that's significant on their top or bottom lines. But my concern is that while their commercial loans aren't significant, their domestic mortgages are significant.

In the event that more job losses are coming and the majority of Canadians might feel this loss in work, are there not contagion affects to residential real estate that then affects the mortgage loan book of Canadian Banks including Scotiabank? If that does happen, how will Scotiabank's business be affected by a prolonged housing market downturn?

Q: I have been given the honour of looking after my 83 year old in law's TFSA accounts currently harboured in GICs. This money will never be needed in their lives .
I am limiting myself to "safer", "Canadian" , and dividend" stocks and ETFs ...
Guessing BNS , SLF or GWO , BCE or T ( or are they dying ) , ENB or TRP , VGG ....ZZZZZZZ...
What would be your 5-8 choices ? All sleepy Bluechips ? Thanks

Q: Really appreciate your endorsement of BNS & the other big 5 can.banks & calming influence.So much negativety & fear mongering leading up to their 1st Q reports stated Feb 3 & ended Mar 1 with BNS,that it was unnerving.Moodys on BNN stated in a severe stress scenario ,can banks may even need to cut dividend or issue more shares to raise money.As far as I can recollect the big 6 have never cut dividend.Moodys & the other rating agencies endorsed the sub prime pakages buy US banks in the 2007-2008 financial crisis.John Aiken of Barclays Capital cut the target price of the big 6 by 20%.After graduation,he workrd for National Bank,then Dundee & since 2009 for Barclays,ranked 3123/3730 analysts & rated 1/5 with 1 being the weakest.4 of big 6 increased div(CM,TD,BNS & RY) & 4 beat convincingly( CM is the best--$2.55 eps beat $2.41 expected) & 2 were pretty closed.BNS had the biggest appreciation after release--up 5.97% @ close Mar 1.Re my Q on Feb 19,the big 6 are amongst the strongest & safest banks in the world CM leads in T1 capital @ 10.6 & BNS @ 10.1.Big 6 performed better than the US banks

Q: Do you think BNS will meet expectations when reporting this week? And would a sale make sense before or after their numbers are released??

Q: what is 5I position on bns exiting the asia market ? Was it not for bns foreign exposure the basis for your recommendation?

Q: Hi,

For the "buy and hold" investor, what jumps out at you as good buys right now. I'd like to make a few last-minute purchases before the RRSP deadline.

Thanks,
Robert

Q: How serious is the risk of competition from financial technology companies? If competition becomes a threat, would banks like bns not just buy the fintech companies? I would appreciate your thoughts.

Q: The big 6 Canadian banks are amongst the world's strongest & safest banks.BNS rated 18th in 2012 & 7th in 2013 strongest ,whereas CM is the only one to appear between 2012 to 2015(3rd,3rd,15th & 18th respectively).All @ historical low PE.eg BNS @ 9.7(trailing) & 9.3(forward).Majority of guests on BNN opined that there are short term headwinds plus "short" by Americans,but recommended hold for 2 years or longer.They have generated decent & stable returns over timer expect for last year.Please advise if the negative factors including the effect of sharp drop in oil prices & its knock on effects are priced in.Each stated that the loan exposure to oil is no more than 2% & it is manageabl.,All report next week with BNS on March 1.

Q: Would you still choose BNS if this was the only bank you were to hold or would should suggest another bank? This will be the first stock for a TFSA that has $4000.00 in it and will be holding and adding to it monthly.
Thanks

Q: According to media reports Venezuela is on the verge of bankruptcy and the more the oil price falls the greater the odds. From the Scotia Global site:
"Scotiabank is proud to have a strong presence in Venezuela through ... Banco del Caribe"

How strong is their presence there and will default have long term effects on BNS shares? I note it is a 3.6% position in the BE portfolio which presumably went in at 5%. Thanks, J.

Q: I have a question about Bank of Nova Scotia
Ive been watching Bank of Nova Scotia and its dividend is now above 5%. I'm confident the stock price will eventually recover. However, what are the chances the dividend will be cut if the economy doesn't improve? Is there a better alternative bank?

Q: The Banks exposure to the Oil and Gas debt(losses)and non-payments of loan losses in particular Bank of Nova Scotia. Therefore, how many are not paying, behind in their payments and how many will never pay them back or written off. In addition, how much does BNS have set aside(Reserves) for direct and in direct loan losses(debt), and any other helpful figures and etc.

Q: Hello,

Could I ask for clarification of this response to an earlier reply to Craig. Specifically, in what sense have you been wrong?
5i Research Answer:
We have been wrong on BNS, but we would keep it now, on valuation and with its international exposure offsetting a weak Canadian economy.

Q: My question is about selling puts on bns as an example. Any advice on how to start out as I am new with options. Have done quite a bit of reading on the subject. I have my account with TD set up for options 2y ago. What would you recommend as a strike price and how far out would you go. I was thinking about 3 to 6 weeks. What sectors would you currently recommend for selling puts. Any reading you might suggest. What are the taxes paid on the premium received. Thanks for the great service and the more elaborate the answer the better. This is a large question please charge 5 credits. Thank you. Chris

Q: Any comments on Bns and Ric downgrade to day

Q: Do you view Moody's downgrade of BNS as alarming? Also, do you think this is a good entry point for all the big five CDN banks and if so what would be your top two or three. Thanks.

Q: Hi Peter and Team,

In light of Graeme's recent question and this article:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/oil-shock-seen-hitting-canadian-bank-profits-in-2016/article28242504/,

Which Canadian banks would you favour if the scenario in the article comes true, or are all Canadian banks in the "same boat"?

At this time, the only bank stock we have is BNS. We have some other "financial" stocks like HCG, EFN, and CXI spread around several accounts, but no other banks.

Thanks as always for the guidance you provide, especially during this crazy, volatile market.

Q: In your opinion which Canadian bank(s) do you think has the strongest management team?