Mike Philbrick
BMO EQL WGT US BANK HDGD TO CAD IDX ETF
ZUB-T
WAIT
Apr 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%.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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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%.