Are These Top Canadian Bank Stocks Buys Today?

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is among a number of banks experiencing a steep drop in profits. Here’s what investors need to know.

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

Image source: Getty Images

Profit is everything in the pandemic markets. TSX investors eyed the current earnings season with a mixture of momentum expectations and trepidation over losses. They’ve been served with both. Tech names broke out during this round of earnings, with names like Shopify and Kinaxis galloping ahead with massive beats. Bank stocks, however, have been far less fortunate during 2020’s second quarter.

Canadian bank stocks are a value opportunity

All Big Five banks have taken heavy losses year on year. Both RBC and BMO reported net income losses of 54% for the quarter ending April 30 compared with the same period last year. Canadian moneylenders are knuckling down for a run of ugly quarters. Loan-loss provisions loomed large this week, as the financial world got real about 2020’s outlook.

Scotiabank boss Brian Porter said Tuesday, “This is not a garden-variety recession … We’ve never been through this before.” Porter urged caution, adding, “This is not a one-quarter or two-quarter event. The banking sector will be picking up broken egg shells for a number of quarters here.” Investors, in other words, should be prepared for a rough ride.

However, there are a few reasons why at least a couple of the Big Five banks should still take a reasonably big space in your TSX stock portfolio.

Value, passive income, and defensiveness

First of all, names like Scotiabank command a respectable amount of clout in countries outside Canada. This particular name is a strong play for access to growth in the Pacific Alliance. This bloc of Latin American countries adds a significant revenue stream to Scotiabank’s coffers and bolsters the thesis for holding for long-term passive income. Its profit pain, down 40%, is lower than TD Bank’s.

TD Bank suffered a woeful halving of its profits in the second quarter compared with last year. Compare and contrast with Scotiabank’s earnings beat, regardless of the latter bank’s profit wipeout from loan provisioning. CIBC fell even further, losing 71% as it scrambled to protect itself from loan losses. But TD Bank is Canada’s only globally significant bank, and it’s a buy for its sheer defensive size if nothing else.

Shares in the Big Five surged midweek, but have begun to drop off. TD Bank’s share price has proven resilient so far, down a point and a half. CIBC was similarly stolid. RBC was down 1.6% Friday, while CIBC fell 1.3%. Meanwhile, Scotiabank was down 3% as of Friday, making it a clear buy for value and growth. The latter bank’s 6.3% yield is an attractive prospect. Investors should keep an eye on these prices and be prepared to pick up a few knocked-down shares in their favourite names.

In terms of dividends, CIBC’s 6.5% yield is still the richest in the space. However, while there is no hint of it just yet, investors should nevertheless be prepared for the possibility that Canadian banks may reduce dividends. In summary, this is the time to slowly build positions in the Big Five with a view to holding for the long term, no matter the state of the market.

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 Victoria Hetherington has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Tom Gardner owns shares of Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Shopify and Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA and KINAXIS INC.

More on Bank Stocks

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 »

Bank sign on traditional europe building facade
Bank Stocks

2 Top Bank Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in 2024

These two Canadian bank stocks can outshine their peers in terms of earnings growth, dividend stability, and future growth prospects.

Read more »

financial freedom sign
Dividend Stocks

Could Royal Bank Stock Help You Retire a Millionaire?

RBC (TSX:RY) stock has a long history dating back decades for those seeking a safe stock to help achieve that…

Read more »

Hand arranging wood block stacking as step stair with arrow up.
Bank Stocks

1 Canadian Bank Stock That Offers Next-Level Value Today

National Bank of Canada (TSX:NA) stock is one of the underdog value plays on the TSX today.

Read more »

analyze data
Bank Stocks

Best Stock to Buy Now: Is National Bank of Canada Stock a Buy After Earnings?

National Bank (TSX:NA) stock hit all-time highs after recording earnings that passed analyst estimates, but are shares too high to…

Read more »

Bank Stocks

Best Stock to Buy Now: Is National Bank of Canada Stock a Buy After Earnings?

These positive factors about National Bank of Canada make it a great dividend-paying stock to buy today.

Read more »