Canada’s Best Dividend Stocks Becoming Expensive: Time to Buy?

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) is among the best dividend stocks from Canada. Here is why it’s a good to buy it.

| More on:
Hour glass and calendar concept for time slipping away for important appointment date, schedule and deadline

Image source: Getty Images

A few months ago, locking in a 5% or a higher dividend yield wasn’t that tough. Canada’s some of the best dividend stocks usually fall in this range. But fear of recession drove investors toward safety who moved their cash to buy solid dividend stocks.

In this rush to safety, it’s getting difficult to get a dividend yield that’s more than 5%. Let’s have a look at the Canadian banking stocks. These are some of the best companies that pay regular dividends.

Among the top five lenders, only Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) is yielding more than 5% these days. 

A month ago, Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS), was also in this category, yielding more than 5%. But more than 12% rally in its stock during the past four weeks has pushed the yield to 4.78% now.

In this perpetually low interest rate environment, this kind of return is still good, in my opinion. Compare that with GICs or with the government bonds and you’ll realize that you’re compensated well for the risk you’re taking.  

I don’t foresee that remaining the same in the next few months. If the risks to global growth fall and the U.S. and China were able to sign a trade deal, we could see some sell-off in the banking stocks.

Short-term weakness

If you’re still in the market to buy quality dividend stocks, I still favour BNS and CIBS stocks for long-term investors, irrespective of developments on the macro front.

The nation’s biggest lenders have been lagging compared with Canada’s main stock gauge this year, which has gained about 17%, including dividends. During the same period, BNS stock rose 12%, thanks to the rally of the past four weeks. CIBC, on the other hand, has gained just 7%. 

I believe that underperformance is short term and these lenders will soon catch up with their larger peers. In the case of CIBC, for example, it was the concern about its exposure to the nation’s mortgage market coupled with the rising provisions for bad loans that kept its stock under pressure.

However, I believe the period of sluggish growth is over and that CIBC is set to outperform other lenders in the coming months, mainly due to strength of its U.S. unit.

Canadian banking stocks have offered some of the best returns to long-term investors due to the strength of their businesses, their diversified operations, and the oligopolistic nature of the Canadian market.

Bottom line

For these reasons, Canadian banking stocks are well-suited for long-term investors who want to buy and hold these stocks. These lenders roughly distribute between 40-50% of their income in dividends that keep growing. Currently, both BNS and CIBC stocks are offering the best returns among the top five lenders. 

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 Haris Anwar has no positions in the stocks mentioned in this article.

More on Bank Stocks

Question marks in a pile
Bank Stocks

Should You Buy Canadian Western Bank for its 4.8% Dividend Yield?

Down 35% from all-time highs, Canadian Western Bank offers a tasty dividend yield of 4.8%. Is the TSX bank stock…

Read more »

analyze data
Bank Stocks

The Average Canadian Stock Investor Owns This 1 Stock: Do You?

This Canadian stock has about 49% ownership by the public, and with growth and dividends to consider, it's a top…

Read more »

falling red arrow and lifting
Stocks for Beginners

1 Dividend Stock Down 18% to Buy Right Now

CIBC (TSX:CM) is a strong dividend stock investors should certainly consider not just for passive income, but future growth as…

Read more »

edit Business accounting concept, Business man using calculator with computer laptop, budget and loan paper in office.
Tech Stocks

Forget TD Stock: 2 Tech Stocks to Buy Instead

TD remains a solid income stock but two outperforming tech stocks are better buys for their strong growth and upside…

Read more »

Question marks in a pile
Bank Stocks

Where Will Royal Bank of Canada Stock Be in 5 Years?

Royal Bank's continued focus on a strong capital position plus its acquisition of HSBC will likely ensure prosperous times ahead.

Read more »

Payday ringed on a calendar
Bank Stocks

How to Build a Bulletproof Monthly Passive-Income Portfolio With Just $10,000 and TD Stock

TD (TSX:TD) stock has been a poor performer over the last few years, but could be a big passive-income winner…

Read more »

Man considering whether to sell or buy
Bank Stocks

Is RBC Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?

Shares of Royal Bank of Canada have delivered game-changing returns to shareholders in the last two decades. Is RBC stock…

Read more »

Dice engraved with the words buy and sell
Bank Stocks

Is Scotiabank (BNS) Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?

Let's dive into whether the Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS) remains a solid buy or if it's more of a…

Read more »