Danger: Is Now the Time to Sell the Canadian Banks?

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) is one of the Canadian banks that investors may need to take a second look at after the COVID-19 crash.

| More on:
Businessman pulling out wooden brick from toppling stack

Image source: Getty Images.

Brace yourself; earnings season is coming.

The Canadian banks are just over a month away from pulling the curtain on their latest quarterly numbers, and they’re going to be ugly. If this week’s round of U.S. bank earnings is any indication for what’s to come, Canadian bank investors may be compelled to sell before hideous results are revealed.

Are ugly U.S. bank earnings a sign of what’s to come for Canadian bank stocks?

Some pretty underwhelming numbers were released by the U.S. banks this week, with Wells Fargo reporting quarterly earnings per share of just $0.01. Wells and the broader basket of bank stocks plunged violently on Wednesday, and the pain wasn’t contained to that side of the border either! Shares of Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) pulled back 5% on the day over fears that the Canadian banks could be headed for the same fate come next month’s bank earnings season.

It also didn’t help that oil plunged (WTI briefly fell below US$20) yet again despite the end of the oil price war, with a new deal of production cuts. BMO, with its heavy exposure to Canadian crude companies, is expected to lead the downward charge with many analysts pointing the finger to those gross oil and gas (O&G) loans that could go sour in a hurry.

With the expectations set to the floor, though, I think the pessimism on BMO and other Canadian banks is overblown beyond proportion. The Canadian banks could test their March lows, as jitters mount over earnings season, and if they do, I’d back up the truck and start accumulating shares while they’re at generationally cheap levels.

Don’t underestimate the power of the Canadian banks

The Canadian banks are far too well capitalized to be held down for prolonged periods. Just look at how the banks (except CIBC) bounced back sharply from the Great Recession. Banks go bust when a crisis hits because everything falls back to them. When it comes time for the next phase of the market cycle, though, watch out, because the well-capitalized Canadian banks roar loud, taking their shareholders with them to the heights reached before the crisis.

Bank of Montreal sports a colossal 6.1% dividend yield after Wednesday’s damage. And now is as good a time as any to start picking away at shares that are already factoring in a very painful quarter. Expectations are low — too low; there’s a chance that BMO could stand to pop after the release of some better-than-feared numbers.

Moreover, should worse come to worst, it’s not the O&G exposure that investors should be most worried about. It’s the possibility of a Canadian housing collapse will occur. Fortunately, BMO isn’t a Canadian bank that’s most exposed to uninsured mortgages and with its stellar capital structure, I suspect that not even the worst economic quake will be able to threaten BMO’s business or its dividend.

Foolish takeaway

The next few months are going to be ridiculously volatile. There’s no doubt about that. COVID-19 and oil’s continued collapse are going to pressure the Canadian banks, but if you’re a long-term investor, look past the near- to medium-term uncertainties to the longer-term fundamental picture. You may take on some pain now, but it’ll be worth it once you’ve locked in your outsized dividend yield, and banks make a move back to the top on the back of a new bull market.

Don’t sell the Canadian banks here if you’re a long-term investor who’s willing to hold for at least five years. Now is the time to be buying, despite the massive uncertainties while rock-bottom valuations exist alongside absurdly low expectations.

Stay hungry. Stay Foolish.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Joey Frenette owns shares of BANK OF MONTREAL.

More on Dividend Stocks

Two seniors float in a pool.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: How to Earn $1,890 in Annual Tax-Free Income

Plunk these investments into your TFSA to earn passive income and avoid the taxman.

Read more »

Engineers walk through a facility.
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Stock I Wouldn’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole

AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL) is one TSX stock I'd never invest in.

Read more »

edit Woman in skates works on laptop
Dividend Stocks

3 No-Brainer Stocks to Buy Under $30

These three stocks all offer a huge deal for investors looking for dividends, as well as growth that will last.

Read more »

You Should Know This
Dividend Stocks

How to Convert a $300 Monthly Investment Into $338 in Monthly Income

If you want a certain amount in monthly passive income, invest a similar amount today and leave the rest to…

Read more »

Increasing yield
Dividend Stocks

3 Income Stocks With Big Yields to Consider in April 2024

If you haven’t yet made your March investments, here are three income stocks to buy the dip and lock in…

Read more »

Senior Man Sitting On Sofa At Home With Pet Labrador Dog
Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Don’t Miss Out on This Contribution Hack!

This hack has so many benefits for you -- not just when you put it in your RRSP but for…

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income: 2 Safe Dividend Stocks to Own for the Next 10 Years

Dividend stocks such as Manulife and Fortis can help you generate a stable and recurring passive-income stream.

Read more »

Young woman sat at laptop by a window
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks Everyone Should Own for the Long Haul

For investors looking for top-tier dividend stocks to buy and hold for the long term, here are three of my…

Read more »