Canadian Bank Stocks Are On Sale: Which Dividend Stock is the Safest?

Market corrections can be nerve-racking, but you should stay calm if you’re invested in Canadian bank stocks, especially if you’re in this banking leader.

Bank sign on traditional europe building facade

Image source: Getty Images

In late February, I wrote a piece on the best Canadian bank stocks to buy in 2020. In the article, I concluded that RY and National Bank were the best Canadian bank stocks to invest in.

Let’s see if that still holds in this stock market correction that also pulled down the Canadian bank stocks.

What triggered the market correction?

In the near to medium term, there was already lower demand for energy due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that has spread to 115 countries.

The oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia triggered the WTI oil price to be slashed in half in merely two months.

The U.S. and Canadian central banks’ interest rate cuts in early March did little, if anything, to lift the market sentiment. In fact, rate cuts are negative for banks.

Canadian banks are on sale!

Even big Canadian banks, which are generally viewed as safe dividend stocks, sold off. The market is worried about higher loan losses that may be triggered by the repercussions of potential oil and gas company bankruptcies. The banks are now trading at the cheapest valuations we’ve seen for a long time!

At writing, the WTI oil price is about US$33 per barrel. This price is unsustainable for most Canadian oil and gas companies. Aside from how the oil price war will develop and other surprise events that may be thrown our way, we should get at least a short-term bounce from the oversold stocks.

Keep in mind that the banks account for downside scenarios, including low oil prices, as a part of their regular review for expected credit losses. Knowing this should give some reassurance for bank stock shareholders. For example, for fiscal 2020, Royal Bank and National Bank, respectively, use a WTI price of US$25 and US$39 for oil’s downside case.

Which is the safest bank stock to invest in?

In today’s risk-off environment, the market gave us a hint on which is the safest bank to invest in — essentially, the ones that have fallen the least. Based on this criterion, RY stock wins, followed by BNS stock as the runners-up.

NA Chart

Data by YCharts

However, we should also account for the valuations of the dividend stocks before the selloff. For example, BNS stock fell less than National Bank stock in the period partly because BNS stock was already trading at a relatively cheap valuation before the selloff, while the latter was fairly valued based on its historical valuations.

Bank stock investors should feel confident because the banks have increased their earnings over the long run. And we have to trust that today’s macro impacts will too come to pass like the negative events of the past.

NA EPS Diluted (Annual) Chart

Data by YCharts

The market prices Royal Bank stock at a premium valuation to the group. And the stock, indeed, trades with the least discount of 19% against its five-year average P/E.

NA Normalized PE Ratio (Annual) Chart

Data by YCharts

The Foolish bottom line

The stock market correction has given a unique opportunity to buy the Canadian bank stocks on sale. Given the latest developments, choosing RY stock is the safest option. It should lead to impressive long-term returns with below-average risk. At writing, Royal Bank stock offers a safe yield of 4.8%.

That said, there’s no need to panic if you’ve already invested in other big Canadian banks. They all tend to pay safe dividends and increase their business value in the long run.

We do not know how long the market correction will last. So, averaging into positions is a good way to go.

Five years from now, this dip will be a blip.

Stay Foolish, calm, and invested.

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 Kay Ng owns shares of Royal Bank, TD Bank, and The Bank of Nova Scotia. The Motley Fool recommends BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA.

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 »