Stockchase Opinions

Mike PhilbrickBMO EQL WGT US BANK HDGD TO CAD IDX ETFZUB.TOWAITApr 11, 2025

Largest in the category. ZBK is unhedged, but there's a hedged version as well (ZUB). He'd opt to start hedging risk away a bit more, given what seems a concerted effort to weaken the USD. Gives you diversification in the US banks, instead of Canadian banks, as it's a different market and different economy. 
 
Banks are very sensitive to the economy, and we're in a recessionary period. He'd wait for positive market follow throughs before allocating capital. If you're in it for the long term, you could buy this on the pullback. Interestingly, US banks are down about 21%, whereas Canadian banks (as in ZEB) are down 9%.

$26.59

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$38.29

As of May 29, 2026. Market Open.

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COMMENT
Looking for TSX-listed ETF with US banks, not covered call.

BMO has a hedged and an unhedged version. Both are equal weight. More diversified to include regional banks.

There's also UBNK, also an equal weighting. Much more concentrated in the big banks only.

PARTIAL BUY
ZUB vs. ZUE

US banks have been on fire, though valuations are higher. Interest rate margins are good. Do you expect banks to outperform? He suggests holding 25% in ZUB and 75% in the diversified S&P. It depends on how confident you are about the US banks.

WEAK BUY

Despite being better diversified, US banking space can be more volatile than Canada's. Achieves more capital growth then an ETF with a covered call strategy. As well, consider some of the active options as offered, for example, from Hamilton.

BUY

Would buy on the dip. Not expecting for this stock to breakout in the short term. Good for long term investors. 

HOLD

A passive way to get exposure to US banks. More regionalized, not as much exposure to the large caps. Not as good a buy as it was a few months ago.

BUY
ZUB and ZBK

Both good, but ZBK gives US dollar exposure.

BUY
If a long term investor, a good buy. Not a good product for day traders. Don't worry about liquidity. Always a buyer for product.
PARTIAL BUY
Basket of US retail and diversified banks. Don't have to worry about currency moves. He like the USD, so he'd prefer not hedged. Banks have gotten hit on recession worries. An opportunity here, though you might be a quarter or two early. Financials tend to perform well early in the cycle, though we're not there yet. Very cheap at 1.4x book value. Pick away at it. Best opportunities come when people are most unsettled. He's picking up some US financials right now. Yield is 2.3%.
COMMENT
Can get it in Canadian dollars and hedge it.
DON'T BUY
In general, US financials have had trouble tracking the S&P. He's underweight financials. Net interest margins, loan losses, economic uncertainty. Had moved up, but now back down.
WAIT
ZUB-T vs. ZBK-T. If you are thinking long term, he would go into the hedged version. It is not time to step into US banks yet. We will likely make lower lows. You are not owning them for dividend payout these days.
BUY
Will US banks do well? Yes, the financials in the US will do well. Their economy and markets will do well this year, and so will their banks. Not worried at all.
SELL
Time to cut losses? He has had a lot of questions on this one. Investors tend to run to banks when interest rates are thought to be rising as bank profitability tends to rise when rate spreads expands. US banks did not do well last year for various reasons. With the investment cycle going on he believes interest rates are likely to remain where they are, so the outlook for US banks is not likely to change. He might suggest selling and moving into a broader market based ETF.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Nov 22/19, Up 2%) Still likes the banks. Trend is still decent, despite the pullback. Will stay as long as highs and lows keep getting higher.