She hopes bank uncertainty will be contained. The big banks have the capital and liquidity to help the smaller ones. She never owned regional banks, just large ones. We have been seeing a flight to safety to the big banks. We'll see stricter regulations among ALL banks. All this equals a hike in interest rates. Bond rates have plummetted. Investors foresee a slowing economy. But there will be less need to raise rates. See what the US Fed announces tomorrow.
It dropped so quickly. The founder left a few years ago--maybe that was the signal. New managers came in and let their floating lending rate debt levels get out of hand as interest rates rise. This hampers growth. There are delays in their projects, which means higher taxes. However, they cut their dividend and righted their guidance. Overhang is this Kentucky Power takeover, with a April 26 deadline. (Regulators have twiced declined the deal.) If it happens, AQN will take on more debt to fund this. AQN has good assets and it trades at a discount to peers. They will not issue equity for the next few years, but sell some existing assets to finance growth.
A key bank in her portfolio. Take advantage of the current pullback. TD is solid and secure in a highly regulated environment. TD has been impacted for its exposure to the US. The First Horizon deal won't close by the end-May deadline, but will be moved. Given the turmoil in regional banks in the US, TD can probably re-negotiate a more favourable deal. Canadian banks can't expand much in Canada, so the US is attractive. TD has a 10% interest in Schwab, which was hit in the current turmoil. Eventually, the sector will stabilize and these stocks will reverse higher. TD is well-run and pays a good dividend. She added to her holding during this turmoil the past week.
They made the Covid testing kits which generated $20 billion in revenues, so shares got ahead of itself. The market has ignored any such companies since then, but these earnings will eventually work their way up again. ABT has given guidance ex-Covid tests, meaning double-digit organic growth. This is a long-time core holding. They're in medtech and medical procedures are ramping up (a tailwind). Pays a constant and long-growing dividend now around 2.5%. She likes healthcare as a play on the aging population.
Still likes it. Not in the construction side, but infrastructure. Very global with under 20% revenues in Canada. They grow organically + M&A. They've increased their presence in environmental and infrastructure which boast good growth ahead. Customers are half private, half public. The latter pledge infra spending. Are disciplined buyers, willing to walk away from a weak deal.