Turnaround of U.S. Unit Will Fuel Profits

Article Excerpt

TORONTO-DOMINION BANK $69 (Toronto symbol TD; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 719.0 million; Market cap: $49.6 billion; SI Rating: Above average) has competed its acquisition of the 41% of TD Banknorth Inc. that it did not already own for $3.2 billion U.S. That’s 17% more than the $3.1 billion (Canadian) or $4.29 a share that TD earned before one-time items in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006. TD plans to restructure TD Banknorth’s operations, including closing 24 of its 600 branches in the northeast U.S. It also plans to bring in some of the techniques that have improved the performance of its Canadian operations, such as longer branch hours. Due to growing credit losses, restructuring costs and intense competition for new customers, TD Banknorth’s contribution to the parent’s second quarter earnings fell 61%, to $23 million from $59 million a year earlier. But lower costs will help this business earn around $108 million in the third quarter, and $123…