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Canadian Imperial Bank of CommerceCM.TOBUYMar 17, 2020Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Aug 21, 2026. Market Open.
He'd hold. Despite the incredible chart, the banks are very well positioned. Benefitting from GenAI and AI investments. Regulatory environment is in their favour with OSFI lowering threshold for risk-weighted assets, which means they have more capital to lend. Consumer is reasonably healthy. As long as interest rates don't go flying through the roof anytime soon, the banks can continue to do well.
We're speculating what will happen. Last year, most of the Canadian area was protected from tariffs because of CUSMA. The US would be paying more for our goods through tariffs; they buy many of our goods. Banks are at the tail end of their elevated provisions and their stocks have done quite well as interest rates have declined. The Bank of Canada has signalled it may hold rates for a while, but the government has released more fiscal support and opening more trade channels, which are good. She remains bullish banks.
It's a good time to buy the big 6 banks. Yields are very high, with CM yielding 7.5%. It's a good time for a young investor to initiate positions. No bank will have its earnings totally obliterated during this crisis. Prices have rolled back. You can now buy a bank at book value or 1.5x book, which is a rare opportunity. Yes, ROE will be compressed if loan losses rise, but requirements have recently been loosened, which takes some pressure off. TD and BMO are more exposed to the U.S. where there are some commercial credit problems, so he's cooler on those, and hotter on the other big 6, including CIBC.