3 Top Financial Stocks to Buy for Value and Yield

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX:LB), Home Capital Group Inc. (TSX:HCG), and Canadian Western Bank (TSX:CWB) are undervalued and have great dividends. Which should you buy?

| More on:

As investors, it’s our goal to outperform the overall market every year. There are many ways you can go about doing this, but one of the best and least-risky ways I have found is to buy stocks that are undervalued and have great dividends. With these criteria in mind, I’ve scoured the financial sector and selected three very attractive investment options, so let’s take a closer look at each to determine if you should buy one of them today.

1. Laurentian Bank of Canada

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX:LB) is one of the largest banks in eastern Canada with approximately $40.3 billion in total assets.

At today’s levels, its stock trades at just 8.3 times fiscal 2016’s estimated earnings per share of $5.66 and only 7.9 times fiscal 2017’s estimated earnings per share of $5.93, both of which are inexpensive compared with its five-year average price-to-earnings multiple of 10.7 and the industry average multiple of 13.2. It also trades at a mere 1.01 times its book value per share of $46.32, which is a discount compared with its five-year average market-to-book value of 1.06.

In addition, Laurentian Bank pays a quarterly dividend of $0.58 per share, or $2.32 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 4.9%. Investors must also note that it has raised its annual dividend payment for eight consecutive years, and its recent increases, including its 3.6% hike in December 2015, has it on pace for 2016 to mark the ninth consecutive year with an increase.

2. Home Capital Group Inc.

Home Capital Group Inc. (TSX:HCG) is one of Canada’s largest non-bank mortgage lenders with approximately $25.1 billion in loans under administration.

At today’s levels, its stock trades at just 8.2 times fiscal 2016’s estimated earnings per share of $4.42 and only 7.5 times fiscal 2017’s estimated earnings per share of $4.83, both of which are inexpensive compared with its five-year average price-to-earnings multiple of 9.7 and the industry average multiple of 13.2. It also trades at a mere 1.56 times its book value per share of $23.17, which is a major discount compared with its five-year average market-to-book value of 2.16.

In addition, Home Capital Group pays a quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share, or $0.96 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 2.7%. Investors must also note that it has raised its annual dividend payment for 16 consecutive years, and its 9.1% hike in February has it on pace for 2016 to mark the 17th consecutive year with an increase.

3. Canadian Western Bank

Canadian Western Bank (TSX:CWB) is one of the largest banks in Canada’s four western provinces with approximately $23.5 billion in total assets.

At today’s levels, its stock trades at just 8.9 times fiscal 2016’s estimated earnings per share of $2.64 and only 8.4 times fiscal 2017’s estimated earnings per share of $2.80, both of which are inexpensive compared with its five-year average price-to-earnings multiple of 12.7 and the industry average multiple of 13.2. It also trades at a mere 1.05 times its book value per share of $22.53, which is a major discount compared with its five-year average market-to-book value of 1.76.

In addition, Canadian Western Bank pays a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share, or $0.92 per share annually, which gives its stock a yield of about 3.9%. Investors must also note that it has raised its annual dividend payment for 23 consecutive years, and its recent increases, including its 4.5% hike in December 2015, has it on pace for 2016 to mark the 24th consecutive year with an increase.

Should you add one of these financial stocks to your portfolio?

Laurentian Bank of Canada, Home Capital Group, and Canadian Western Bank are three of the most attractive investment options in the financial sector. Foolish investors should take a closer look at each and strongly consider beginning to scale in to long-term positions in one of them today.

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 Joseph Solitro has no position in any stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

How to Use Your TFSA to Double Your TFSA Contribution

If you're looking to double up that TFSA contribution, there is one dividend stock I would certainly look to in…

Read more »

woman looks at iPhone
Dividend Stocks

Retirees: Is TELUS Stock a Risky Buy?

TELUS stock has long been a strong dividend provider, but what should investors consider now after recent earnings?

Read more »

Concept of multiple streams of income
Dividend Stocks

Is goeasy Stock Still Worth Buying for Growth Potential?

goeasy offers a powerful combination of growth and dividend-based return potential, but it might be less promising for growth alone.

Read more »

A person looks at data on a screen
Dividend Stocks

How to Use Your TFSA to Earn $300 in Monthly Tax-Free Passive Income

If you want monthly passive income, look for a dividend stock that's going to have one solid long-term outlook like…

Read more »

View of high rise corporate buildings in the financial district of Toronto, Canada
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income Seekers: Invest $10,000 for $38 in Monthly Income

Want to get more monthly passive income? REITs are providing great value and attractive monthly distributions today.

Read more »

Forklift in a warehouse
Dividend Stocks

Invest $9,000 in This Dividend Stock for $41.88 in Monthly Passive Income

This dividend stock has it all – a strong yield, a stable outlook, and the perfect way to create a…

Read more »

An investor uses a tablet
Dividend Stocks

3 No-Brainer TSX Stocks to Buy With $300

These TSX stocks provide everything investors need: long-term stability and passive income to boot.

Read more »

analyze data
Dividend Stocks

End-of-Year Retirement Planning: 3 Buy-and-Hold Stocks for Canadian Investors

Choosing the right stocks for the retirement portfolio differs from investor to investor. However, there are some top stocks that…

Read more »