The Canadian banks had a very tough 2022 falling 8.9% – just the 5th decline in the last 20 years, which includes financial crisis years of 2007 and 2008[1] (the sector even rose 3.8% in 2020, despite COVID). The main reason for the decline last year was falling price-to-earnings multiples caused by the market’s concern that global central banks could cause a recession by aggressively raising…
Insights: Region
U.S. Financials: Mid-Caps Look Attractive, Despite Clouds (4 Reasons to Invest)
The U.S. mid-cap financials held up very well in 2022, in what was a very difficult year for the global financials. Risks that had not been seen for decades – like inflation – have returned, and the market’s fears that rising central bank rates could trigger a recession remain high. This has resulted in significant compression in price-to-earnings multiples as the market anticipates clouds ahead. Yet,…
HBA – Top Performing Financials ETF in Canada (and 5 Reasons to Invest)
In 2022, our blue-chip Hamilton Australian Banks Equal Weight Index ETF (HBA) outperformed its 38 competitor financials ETFs, by rising ~1%, making it the top performing financials ETF in Canada – foreign or domestic[1]. This is the second year in a row that Hamilton ETFs had the top performing financials ETF in Canada[2]. In fact, HBA – which has a yield of 5.8% – was the…
HUM – Top Performing U.S. Financials ETF – Again
Our Hamilton U.S. Small/Mid-Cap Financials ETF (HUM, HUM.U) was the top performing U.S. financials ETF in Canada – again[1]. HUM has now outperformed its competitor ETFs over the following periods: since inception[2], in the last two years, full year 2021, and full year 2022. In 2021, it was the top performing financials ETF in Canada – foreign or domestic[3]. In the last two years – which…
HFT – Top Performing Fintech ETF by Wide Margin
With its focus on blue-chip firms, the Hamilton Financials Innovation ETF (HFT) outperformed all fintech ETFs in the last two years, including those offered by “high profile” U.S. providers/managers. When it was launched, we explained that HFT would differentiate itself versus its competitors by focusing on “blue-chip” firms focused on financial innovation with higher growth, which were (i) profitable, (ii) had established business models, and importantly…
HFG – Top Performing Global Financials ETF in Canada
Our Hamilton Global Financials ETF (HFG) was the top performing ETF in its category in 2022 and outperformed its domestic competitors and the iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) over the last two years. During that period, HFG generated a total return of 17.5%, beating every competitor ETF by at least 2.8%[1]. Importantly, not only did HFG outperform its competitor global financials ETFs and the index in…
Market Outlook with Ed Yardeni
On October 13, 2022, we hosted a Market Outlook with Ed Yardeni, moderated by Rob Wessel, in which the prominent Wall Street strategist provided his outlook on U.S. and global equity markets, preferred sectors, the current geopolitical environment, and the implications of changing fiscal/monetary policy. Please register below to access the replay (58 min). Disclaimer: Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment…
Canadian Bank CEO Event with RBC & TD
On June 9, 2022, we hosted a panel discussion on the Canadian banks with Dave McKay and Bharat Masrani, CEOs of Royal Bank and TD Bank, respectively. During the panel discussion, the CEOs discussed their views on a variety of topics, including the current macro environment, domestic banking, housing, consumer debt, and their international platforms. Disclaimer: Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all…
Canadian Banks: TD Buys FHN – A Very Strong Fit
After much speculation in recent years about its appetite for additional U.S. bank M&A, TD offered ~US$13.4 bln in cash to buy First Horizon Corporation (FHN)[1], a Tennessee-based regional bank, in late February, almost 15 years since its last “large” U.S. bank acquisition – Commerce Bancorp. In our view, the acquisition offers many strategic benefits given FHN: (i) is an optimal size, adding material scale with…
Video: Market Outlook and Q&A with Ed Yardeni and Rob Wessel
Hamilton ETFs presents a Q&A with prominent Wall Street strategist, Ed Yardeni, moderated by Rob Wessel. Ed has been one of the most influential Wall Street strategists over the last 30 years and is regularly on CNBC. Rob asks Ed for his outlook on the U.S. and global equity markets, inflation, interest rates and, of course, the financials. Disclaimer: Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and…
Canadian Banks: BMO’s High Risk, High(er) Reward Acquisition of BoW
Bank of Montreal recently announced the acquisition of BNP Paribas’ U.S. retail banking subsidiary, Bank of the West (BoW) for ~C$20 bln – the largest acquisition in Canadian banking history. The transaction is very different from prior acquisitions made by the Canadian banks and is further complicated by the fact that BoW is not publicly traded (wholly owned by BNP), so most Canadian investors have limited…
Australian Banks: Robust Earnings and Large Capital Return
A strong recovery of the Australian economy is underway as evidenced by the solid earnings growth seen at the Australian banks in their most recent reporting season. In this insight, we discuss the positive trends impacting the sector. Specifically, we elaborate on the recent operating results (both earnings drivers and capital returns), and other positive trends including economic growth supported by further reopening as well as…