Expansion bolsters CIBC’s outlook

Article Excerpt

High-profile U.S. hedge funds continue to bet against Canada’s big banks. They feel rising interest rates and slowing real estate markets will lead to big writedowns. However, the big banks, including CIBC, have plenty of capital to weather downturns in the Canadian economy. CIBC’s recent expansion into the U.S. also improves its long-term earnings potential and should let it keep raising its dividend. CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE $111 (Toronto symbol CM; Income-Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 444.1 million; Market cap: $49.3 billion; Dividend yield: 5.0%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.cibc.com) is the smallest of Canada’s big five banks, with assets of $614.6 billion. Current bank formed in 1961 through the merger of Canadian Bank of Commerce and Imperial Bank of Canada. Has paid dividends continuously since 1868 CIBC has also increased its dividend 18 times since 2011 The bank last raised its quarterly dividend with the April 2019 payment. Investors now receive $1.40 a share instead of $1.36. The new annual rate of $5.60…