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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: I am about a 1.5 years away from retirement. Across all my my registered portfolios I have all 5 major banks, pretty well in equal %. An independent financial advisor suggested cutting this back to 2 banks.

My question to you is can to rank these 5 banks in order of what you would consider selling?

Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dino on May 02, 2023
Q: I was wondering if you would indicate which US banks have been acquired by the above mentioned banks and how risky these acquisitions might be considering the differences in the banking regulations between the two countries.
Thank you very much. Any information you provide will be greatly appreciated.
Read Answer Asked by Mary Jean on April 13, 2023
Q: Hi Peter, Ryan, and Team

In your answers to other members, I’ve observed that National Bank isn’t one of your recommendation, and I’m wondering why.

Their 5 year CAGR is 9.4%. For the 3, 5, and 10 year periods, the beat their peers (BMO, CM, RY, BNS, and TD) by 6%, 6%, and 3% respectively.

Watching the negative news involving GSY, I’m considering switching it to NA. Since we’ve held GSY for some time, we’re still up quite substantially.

In our combined accounts, we also own TD, which we’ll keep.

I’d appreciate your thoughts on this proposed switch. Thanks in advance for your insight.

Read Answer Asked by Jerry on April 04, 2023
Q: Hi 5i, my question is on all financials impacted new taxes.

"Dividend tax change: Ottawa is planning to raise billions of dollars from banks and insurers through a change in tax rules on dividends that financial institutions receive from Canadian companies."

Can you put a guess on how this will impact investors?

Thx

Read Answer Asked by Christopher on March 30, 2023
Q: Hello,
I already have a large position in TD and a small position in BMO, and would like to add to one or two more banks that won't keep me awake at night. Its quite clear that banks have trillion of dollars in loans . Last report that I read $4.12 trillion. And $1.5T of loans come due in Canada by January 2024. So even if 2% default, we have $30B in losses. And that's just Canada. Therefore, of the Canadian banks, which ones have the least exposure to the US. ? Today which ones are your recommendations?
Finally, in terms of deposit insurance, is it $100K per bank account or per individual taxpayer.? Brokerage account like RBC - Direct investing, the $1M is it for the total portfolio or just the cash? Again, per account or per investor?

Thank you
CR
Read Answer Asked by Carlo on March 28, 2023
Q: Hi, We own above Canadian banks, which makes up the financial sector of our portfolio.

On an YTD basis, interestingly, their performance has diverged significantly, with CM +7%, RY +2.5% and TD -9%. During past 30 days (reflecting impact of recent crisis in financial sector SVB/SB), these names have declined as follows : CM -7%, RY -8% and TD -17%. Does it mean that market is assigning higher risk to TD, relative to its peers ? Does it make one name more attractive than others, and if so why, if we wish to take advantage of the sizable decline in their share prices, and add for long term investment ?

Thank You
Read Answer Asked by rajeev on March 23, 2023
Q: I wonder if any of the big six own any US or CAN MBS or CMBS ? Thanks a lot .
Read Answer Asked by Lai Kuen on March 17, 2023
Q: Please rank the above companies for level of risk and do you think that our Canadian banks could ever be subject to the issues at SVB? Is BN risky? I read one person writing how his advisor won't let him buy it. Feeling like I don't have much trust in anything right now. How is an investor to handle this uncertainty? I definitely see the benefits of diversity as you had always pushed. I'm also somewhat confused as most advisors have been pushing financials due to the benefits associated with rising rates. Your calm advise would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Read Answer Asked by Neil on March 13, 2023
Q: Wondering why National Bank seems to have better momentum than the other banks like TD even though you recently added TD to one of the portfolios, I believe around $88. BNS has also been a laggard over the years. What is it that prompted you to add TD over NA and would you support selling BNS, TD, or CM to enter NA or RY? It seems like NA and RY seem to have better momentum than the other banks. What would be the risks with this move?
Read Answer Asked by Neil on March 13, 2023
Q: With whats happening in the markets currently with CM's admission of mortgage issues with SIVB debacle, rising rates, volatility etc could be the beginning of a big mess in the Financial services sector.

Although long term you are bullish on 4 of the 5 names do you think it would be prudent from a risk aversion viewpoint to step aside on these names and wait till things settle?

Can you also please comment especially on EQB and GSY and their outlook/risks in this cyclone.

Thanks

Sheldon

Read Answer Asked by Sheldon on March 13, 2023
Q: Hi
In looking at the big 5 Cdn banks, it is easy to think they are all being somewhat affected by the SVB shut down, or pressure on US regional banks...or is that jumping to a far fetched conclusion? I see that the Cdn banks have been marching steadily lower lately and have started to wonder whether this is sector related or a fundamental change occurring. Although this may be a bit early in the game, at what point would you feel the Cdn banks are excellent bargains, or is that too optimistic a view of the Cdn banking system, vs the US's regional banking system? As always, I greatly appreciate your thoughts on this!
Dawn
Read Answer Asked by Dawn on March 13, 2023
Q: In layman's English, could you explain why SVB went under and whether it will cause any lasting damage to Cdn Banks...and are there any Cdn banks you would add to today? Thanks, great service.
Read Answer Asked by Curtis on March 13, 2023
Q: I have owned these stocks in my non-registered account for 12 years except ETF IGM, T, CTC.A (bought 2 yr ago - up a fair bit). T bought 5 years or so ago. GSY, MFC & GRT.UN a year ago - all 3 up nicely. I buy dividend growers for the most part. I have been retired for quite a while - so, more interested in dividend growth. Large portfolio with banks 40% of total. Do not worry about market downturns: add to positions when they go on sale -08/09 and 2020. Sitting on cash and looking to add to these positions . Do not own ENF.CA - typo. Suggestions?? IFC 5-6 years up 220% including dividends.
Read Answer Asked by James on March 10, 2023
Q: Which Canadian Bank has the best current risk adjusted appeal. 3-5 year hold.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Lawrence on February 10, 2023