Key milestone adds to TD’s appeal

Article Excerpt

TD Bank reported higher earnings in the latest quarter for both its Canadian and U.S. businesses. The bank continues to expand; its recent $729 million acquisition of Regina-based wealth management firm Greystone Managed Investments now makes it Canada’s largest wealth management firm. Meanwhile, TD continues to increase efficiency—and profits—by improving its online and mobile banking platforms. TD BANK $68.25 (Toronto symbol TD; Shares o/s: 1.8 billion; Market cap: $124.2 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Divd. yield: 3.9%; www.td.com) is Canada’s largest bank with assets of $1.33 trillion. TD earned $3.05 billion, excluding one-time items, in the quarter ended October 31, 2018. That’s a 17.1% rise over $2.60 billion a year earlier. Due to fewer shares outstanding, per-share earnings rose 19.9%, to $1.63 from $1.36. Earnings from Canadian retail banking operations (55% of the total) increased 4.6%. That gain was due to strong demand for new loans from consumers and businesses, as well as higher interest rates. Earnings for the bank’s U.S. business (35%) jumped 43.6%…