Stock price when the opinion was issued
Like GS-N, it's the dominant bank in its country, and trades at a premium to peers, but deserves the premium because they've expanded into the lucrative wealth management area. They don't suffer problems in US retail banking like some peers; RY exited that decades ago. The forward PE of 13-14x is slightly higher than historic and this sector, but is justified through earnings growth.
The question asked the guest to compare the two with a view to buying one of them. She prefers Royal Bank right now. It just delivered record results and is growing at 10% year over year. TD has gone through a rough patch and is re-structuring which is eating into profits. She doesn't think Royal Bank will split.
Any potential stock split is irrelevant. The banks have been a wonderful thing in Canada, steady dividends that get raised frequently. Wouldn't sell and pay tax just to buy something else. Cooking on all cylinders. Best bank in Canada.
Know that all the banks have upped their non-Canadian exposure, so it's now about 50/50 Canada vs. outside Canada. RY has a very efficient US investment banking business, and is trying to expand retail.
Premium valuation for a premium bank with premium assets. Likes the name, but doesn't want to pay over $200. Didn't like many of the bank earnings last quarter because PCLs were released back into earnings once worst-case tariff scenario didn't come to pass. This was premature and too optimistic. Fears our economy might get worse before it gets better.
If you have it in your portfolio, keep it. But she's holding off on buying right now.