U.S. acquisitions bring a double benefit

Article Excerpt

These two banks are making timely acquisitions south of the border. We feel these purchases will help both profit from an improving U.S. economy, while the lower Canadian dollar enhances these businesses’ revenue and profits. ROYAL BANK OF CANADA $76 (Toronto symbol RY; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 1.4 billion; Market cap: $106.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.2; Dividend yield: 4.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.rbc.com) continues to sell its less promising overseas operations as it shifts its international focus to the U.S., U.K. and Asia. For example, it recently sold its retail banking business in the country of Suriname, South America. It’s also selling its Swiss private banking operations to SYZ Group for an undisclosed sum. This subsidiary offers wealth management services to wealthy investors from emerging markets like Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Royal aims to complete its purchase of Los Angeles-based City National (New York symbol CYN) by the end of…