Royal Bank frees up cash for buybacks

Article Excerpt

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA $80 (Toronto symbol RY; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 1.5 billion; Market cap: $120.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.5; Dividend yield: 4.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.rbc.com) is Canada’s largest bank with assets of $1.15 trillion. This country supplies 62% of revenue, followed by the U.S. (21%) and other markets (17%). The bank’s revenue rose 27.8%, from $27.6 billion in 2011 to $35.3 billion in 2015 (fiscal years end October 31). Earnings gained 43.8%, from $7.0 billion to $10.0 billion. Due to fewer shares outstanding, earnings per share rose 60.6%, from $4.19 to $6.73. For the most recent fiscal year, Royal earned $6.66 a share before unusual items. Focusing on its strengths In the past few years, the bank has re-focused its international businesses on areas, such as wealth management, where it can become a market leader. For example, Royal recently purchased Los Angeles-based City National for $5.5 billion U.S. (50% in cash…