Opinions
Jim McGovern
Toronto-Dominion Bank
TD-T
COMMENT
Jun 05, 2017
Stock price when the opinion was issued
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This situation highlights a massively important point. When these high-index component companies trip and do a faceplant, they get massacred. Everybody jumps on the hate train, and all you hear are negative comments. Looking at the chart, stock's probably up 25% this year from the point of peak negativity.
The biggest source of return in any investment is the change in the multiple. TD can still grow at a low single-digit rate, and then the multiple rerates. It went from 9x PE to 11.5x PE. Now slightly above his buy price. Excellent job righting the ship, and it was all the excess capital that was the key.
Longer term will do reasonably well. For those looking for income, and you get a bit of earnings growth. The big longer-term question is whether it stays in the US or not. Unlikely to commit additional capital to build out its platform in the US.
Past high back in 2022 was around $108. In the doghouse until May of this year. One of his biggest positions. He's riding the wave. Could break above $100 very easily, and $108 isn't out of the question. Momentum is peaking right now, but he's seeing a drop in volume (which indicates sideways motion or pullback). Be cautious, it's overextended.
If it dropped back to $90, he'd definitely consider exiting.
Pleased to see how the market's revalued it higher. Light at end of tunnel after regulatory scandal. Trying to reset the growth algorithm by September 29 investor day, which gives the new CEO time to assess things.
Great Canadian personal and commercial banking franchise. Good and growing capital markets. Good scale player in wealth and asset management. Still one of the largest banks in the US; growth will be challenging, but he has faith in its creative strategies.
Has broken to new highs, along with its peers, but volumes have been declining recently. This is set up for a correction after this big run, so wait for that correction. He's very bullish on Canada for the next few years (Ottawa will spend on infrastructure). As for US, that is forcing Canada to look at Europe and China for more trade, such as natural gas. We're looking globally now, and not only to the south.
Surprising how much it's come back, due in large part to sentiment having been so negative. Penalties will dampen growth. Still, numbers for both US and Canadian financials are starting to accelerate. Canadian banks over-provisioned for loan losses; if they don't have to tap into those reserves, should see really strong numbers going forward. On technicals, all the Canadian banks are moving up the ranks.
Recently lightened up on re-rating, but still likes it. Now trades at almost parity or slight discount to peers. US missteps are behind them. Incurring lots of expenses to step up anti-money-laundering compliance. How long will they be in the US penalty box? WFC was there for 7 years, and he hopes it won't be that long for TD.
Feels should be able to reach growth guidance of 7%. Will have to pull other levers such as tightening belt in Canada, growing capital markets, or competing more fiercely ("elbows up";).
Like a lot of Canadian banks, it has US operations, which would probably be the one area he would be most excited about, in part because the US banks find themselves in a better environment than they do in Canada. Thinks there will be legislation changes in the US, which favours bank shares in general. The flipside is the constant buzz on the Canadian real estate market. This bank operates in the prime mortgage market. Doesn’t think you’re going to make a lot of money in any of the Canadian banks right now. He would much rather focus on banks internationally rather than domestically.