Citigroup Inc. (C)

Citigroup beat Q3 earnings by 5 cents and raised their full-year guidance. He sees 20% EPS growth.

Bank of America vs. Citigroup Prefers BAC. Citigroup is cheaper though. But BAC has better opportunities with a strong banking franchise in the U.S; their Merill Lynch franchise is also good. Trading at 1.1x book that should grow. Citirgroup is reducing costs and technology will drive growth here. Can do only small acquisitions now, not large, though regulations are easing. Citi trades at a lower multiple, but BAC holds more opportunity.

The US banks have underperformed, and are a canary in the coalmine for the larger market. That said, there's support for Citigroup (earnings, international exposure, etc.) and the banks benefit from rising interest rates. Their valuation and re-structuring all work, all good. This is one of the better US banks.

After 10 years after the Financial Crisis there is the valuation differential with other senior players in the market. Organic earnings growth. Trading at book value. Great Management. Quiet, never hear from them which is what he loves about them. Yield of 2.5%. (Analysts’ price target is $84.18)

BAC-N vs. C-N. Why is C-N momentum faster than BAC-N? It is not just about the quality of that business but also what you are paying to acquire it. Both of these names longer term will be okay. He likes BAC-N. It is diversified and heavily into the US economy.

A too-big-to-fail bank that they continue to recommend. They have been able to get 13-14% ROE through every market gyration following the 2008 financial crisis. Their business strategy is more conservative today and the multiple trades at good value. He expects the dividend to continue to grow and the PE is only 11.4. Yield 2.4%.

You won't go wrong with Canadian banks even though they are more expensive than US banks. C-N has never really recovered from the financial crisis. He would prefer BNS-T because it is a more stable business

(A Top Pick Aug 4/17, Up 6%) He has had good returns since he has bought it but it has gone flat. They have room to expand their dividends even more. They are on an aggressive buy back program. If the US equity markets are going to go higher it has to be with the financials. He is still staying with it. There is about 9% upside according to model price.