December and Bank Earnings 2024

 

In the first week of December, Canada's largest Banks start publishing and presenting their earning reports. It's of interest to me where I'm into financial stocks, usually ranking high in the top ten of dividend focused ETFs like the popular high yield VDY with Canadian energy stocks mixed in.

Toronto Dominion, TD could be in the news more than the others with their settled fine in the US, which the bank had set aside to pay and I recall they have a lot of cash on the sidelines when they wanted to buy more assets down south, upwards of 15 billion worth awhile back. The price of the stock is in the $79 to $80 CAD range with a 5.15% yield and a 6.25% dividend increase back in January of 2024.

I expect the stock price to increase eventually with operational compliance being mentioned more recently and a turnover of the CEO. Hopefully, another dividend increase for 2025 will occur along with the other banks as well as the Bank of Nova Scotia, BNS which hasn't had a dividend increase since July of 2023 after hitting a rough patch but has recovered since then.

December will be a busy month with my energy stocks going ex-dividend and I'll update about that in the 2nd week looking at Pembina Pipeline, PPL and Canadian Natural Resources, CNQ in the first half with a 7.14% dividend increase kicking in for this month.

Trump's 25% tariff threats for Canada when he takes office next year will probably cost everybody more money after getting over high inflation. See what happens and if the tariff increase will be exempt on our energy/oil sectors flowing into the US where he plans to ramp up oil production down south.

Lots of daily news about the economy and stocks to keep informed on with all that Trump noise lately and how different stock sectors could be affected by US moves.

I should be getting a better picture of the JP Morgan ETFs I bought when they were offered in Canada starting with JEPI and JEPQ back in October. JEPQ gained the most so far where it's into NASDAQ and the USA "AI infused" tech stocks.

The first distributions should be on the 10th of December but where they both pay monthly, I assume this distribution will be based on 2 months since it's startup in October. 

On January 2nd, 2025, the expected ex-distribution date will be more accurate along with the fluctuating yield based on price, although one can get an idea from JP Morgan's US site displaying those two ETFs in USD with a past start date of May, 2020.

Overall, I'm pleased with the combination of growth and dividend stocks I own and seeing more positive "green" than usual. One can hope it continues for awhile but the Markets can turn quick at times. However, the diversified portfolio dividends will continue to accumulate going forward.

The Brightest Stars, November 2024

 

After the Presidential election in the US ... stocks, Bitcoin and Ethereum along with other crypto coins rose quickly. Trump, waiting in the wings to take over the reigns in the US is looked at as pro crypto but see what happens when he gets bogged down in the work to run the country.

Being an equity dividend investor, with the majority of my stocks in the top twenty in the TSX by yield, it's satisfying to see my portfolio up over 19% year to date. A steady rise since interest rates were cut by the Bank of Canada and the current deflating Trump hype that flowed over into Canada.

Many a stock I own do business with plans to build on that in the US like our Banks.

With ex-dividend dates in the last half of November, 2024 ... my insurance/financial stocks have reported decent quarterly reports like Manulife Financial. MFC, Sun Life, SLF and Great-West Life, GWO (Under the wing of the Power Corporation of Canada, POW). All worthy of further buying with GWO's ex-dividend date being on the 3rd of December. 

Also on the 3rd of December, Suncor Energy, SU has been in the news with CEO, Kruger working the energy company back into the money on higher earnings than expected and a better safety record. Suncor's yield is 4% at this time with a 4.59% dividend increase.

Algoma Central Corporation, ALC ... The Great Lakes shipping company is celebrating it's 125th year and below is one of the pictures entitled, The Darkest Nights Produce the Brightest Stars. in their recent newsletter.

Taken by Captain Buckmaster while sailing the American Narrows channel, NY aboard the Algoberta

Yesterday, I read a question and answer article from the Globe and Mail's, John Heinzl where I look forward to his monthly updates on his Yield Hog Dividend Growth Portfolio. 

Although, I've been following the Bitcoin scene since it started and like the game of buying low and selling high when I can, I'm not serious about it as I am my stock portfolio and seeking steady growth with income over time. Here is a snippet from that article. 

My portfolio is doing just fine without crypto, thanks

In the past year, most of the stocks in my model Yield Hog Dividend Growth Portfolio have posted double-digit gains, with several rising by more than half when dividends are factored in. These include Manulife Financial Corp. (MFC-T -0.39%), with a one-year total return of about 87 per cent through Nov. 14, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM-T -0.38%), up 78 per cent, TC Energy Corp. (TRP-T +0.58%), 62 per cent, Capital Power Corp. (CPX-T -2.96%), 60 per cent, and Royal Bank (RY-T -0.53%), 50 per cent. Sure, these returns trail the 135-per-cent gain in bitcoin over the past year. But, unlike bitcoin, these companies provide products and services that everyone uses, and they send me a chunk of cash every month out of the profits they make. I’m not worried that any of them will see their value cut in half. I can’t say the same about bitcoin. Nobody can.

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