U.S. Problems Weigh on our Banks

Article Excerpt

Bank stocks have struggled since late last year, due to fears that the problems with subprime mortgages in the United States will spread to Canada. Most of Canada’s big five banks have some exposure to these troubled loans, and writedowns have hurt their recent earnings. Despite the losses, Canada’s major banks have enough capital to continue making new loans. We feel every Canadian investor should own at least two of these five banks. Bank of Nova Scotia is still our top choice for new buying. Royal Bank of Canada $48 (Toronto symbol RY; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $62.4 billion; SI Rating: Above average) is Canada’s largest bank, with total assets of $627.5 billion. Royal is taking advantage of the slowing U.S. economy to expand its operations there. It recently agreed to pay an undisclosed sum for Houston-based Richardson Barr & Co., which advises oil and natural gas companies on acquisitions and divestitures. This purchase should help…