JP Morgan Chase & CoJPMCOMMENTJul 11, 2013Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jul 10, 2026. Market Open.
There is also a Canadian CDR (hedged) version but he prefers the actual stock in US dollars. He doesn't like the hedged versions of stocks which neutralize the foreign exchange component and prefers the benefit of owning companies in US dollars. He owns this and other US financials. Canadian banks have done very well.
One of the largest US banks, the gold standard. Leading across all divisions. Consistently delivers some of the strongest returns in the industry.
Just reported strong quarter, record trading revenue, earnings up 13%, revenue ahead of expectations. Pulled back on slightly higher expense guidance. Higher-quality name, trades at a premium (for good reason).
Citi is still a turnaround story. CEO has been simplifying the business -- cutting costs and focusing on strongest franchises. Strong quarter, beat on revenue and earnings. Outperforming peers. Cheaper, with more upside potential (but more risk if turnaround stops working).
She's sticking with JPM, but C is a reasonable choice if you like the turnaround angle.
US banks versus Canadian banks? If you have a group of companies that are fundamentally sound but are seeing net improvements from the margin like the US banks are seeing, and you compare them to a group likes the Canadian banks, relatively more expensive but the margins are seeing slowdowns, Canadian banks are likely to see contraction in the multiples and he feels you can get expansion in the multiples in US banks. This one was able to dance through the damage without getting winged too badly so their management group should have pretty strong credibility and probably should have a multiple that is higher than the group. Yield is about 3% and there hasn’t been a lot of dividend increases because the Fed has held all of them back.