Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO)

Buy April 80 Calls at $3.60. The combination of a dividend increase and an increase in the dividend payout rate tells him that the board is not only content with the trend in their earnings but also content with the sustainability of those earnings. He thinks you could see this stock at $87 by April.

Increased its dividend twice this year. Less volatile because they are more into retail banking. Their US retail is bigger than their Canadian retail now. Just made an acquisition of Target’s (TGT-N) US visa and private label card portfolio. Over time, this makes sense for them.

One of the cheapest of the big 5 banks. Yield is probably one of the lowest as well as the price to cash flow. Given what they have done with the target receivables recently and given the focus on building up the credit card businesses, he sees this as an opportunity to benefit in 2 ways. First, the cost of capital for these entities will decline and secondly, given the competitive space in mortgages and consumer borrowing, it’s a great way to boost long-term earnings. He sees a 10% upside in the next 12 months plus the 3.76% dividend.

Has certainly been one of the more popular banks. Been quite successful in terms of US expansion. But the yield is significantly lower than what you can get in a lot of the other banks. He thinks you can see better value and yield in other banks.

(Market Call Minute.) His favourite bank.

Has done extremely well on the US banking. Known as the best service bank in Canada. In the long-term he feels their strategy will do well but they are heavily retail oriented and not quite as diversified as some of the other banks. Feels some of the other Cdn banks are more attractively priced.

Preferred bond. After 2023 they won't qualify as tier 1 capital. So it will probably be called. They could take it away next year and you could lose money.

Just reported earnings and had very good earnings, dividend is going up and will continue to do so. Have a strong retail franchise in Canada and the US. It should keep moving along. Not far from 52 week high. They took a measured pace with US investment and will take advantage of any good deals there.

Preferred shares Q? Most of the banks have announced increased dividends in the last quarterly reporting. Thinks the earnings power of the banks have been priced in fairly and upside from these levels is going to be very challenged. In terms of preferred stocks he is always worried in terms of performance if the stocks pull back.

Very strong position in retail banking in Canada. Over 90% of their earnings comes from retail. Made some acquisitions in the US, which are very deposit heavy and not loan heavy. Very good opportunity for them to grow their loan space and loan portfolio in the US. Expect dividends will outpace their earnings growth for the next few years.

Most banks reporting on Thursday. This is one of the better banks out there. Good loan growth and cost control. Would not be surprised to see a dividend increase on Thursday. Expects good, solid results. Continues to like it.

Good, top quality domestic bank platform. Will be able to weather the storm better than others. 3.5% dividend yield that he expects to be boosted. Report next week and he expects them to be at the top of the list. Over time there is potential for the entire bank group to be valued upward. Would be comfortable adding today, or staggering over next little while.

His favourite bank. Not ultra cheap on a Price to Book but it gives you US exposure in a very safe way. More than 50% of revenue comes from the US now.

Has the highest upside potential to target. All the banks have had good returns but this one has the best. Retail margins will be somewhat pressured but this is the best operator in Canada. Wealth management business continues to do well. US investment and business will be the sleeper and will be a key driver going forward. 3.5% dividend yield.

(A Top Pick Aug 15/11. Up 9.14%.) Thinks they are going to raise their dividend 2% or 3% when it reports next week. Stock should be $85 a year from now.