Musiccosmos

The push to digitize financial services is everywhere. Younger Canadians love the ease and convenience of digital banking; Canada’s Big Six are acutely aware of this with each delivering their version of digital-banking to win customers over. Who will win the digital wars? It’s still very early in the game. That said, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) has made digital banking an important objective as part of its effort to grow sales. If it’s able to come anywhere close to its three-year targets, you can be sure it will benefit the top and bottom line, which is excellent… The push to digitize financial services is everywhere. Younger Canadians love the ease and convenience of digital banking; Canada’s Big Six are acutely aware of this with each delivering their version of digital-banking to win customers over. Who will win the digital wars? It’s still very early in the game. That said, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) has made digital banking an important objec...

Buying stocks that pay high dividends is a good way to earn passive income. Many stocks in the market pay dividends, but if you want to have big dividends, you should look at stocks that yield 5% or more. The five stocks I present below are good-quality stocks that have dividend yields of 5% or more. TransAlta Renewables (TSX:RNW) TransAlta Renewables is a renewable power company based in Canada. TransAlta has paid a dividend since 2013 and has increased its dividend for three successive years. The stock is currently paying a monthly dividend of $0.0783 per share for a high… Buying stocks that pay high dividends is a good way to earn passive income. Many stocks in the market pay dividends, but if you want to have big dividends, you should look at stocks that yield 5% or more. The five stocks I present below are good-quality stocks that have dividend yields of 5% or more. TransAlta Renewables (TSX:RNW) TransAlta Renewables is a renewable power company based in Canada. TransAlt...

Young Canadians are using their Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) to set some cash aside for the future. One effective strategy for growing savings into a substantial cash pile involves owning quality dividend-growth stocks and using the distributions to buy new shares. Inside the TFSA, the compounding process can be tapped to its greatest effect, as the full value of the dividends can be used to acquire additional stock, and when the day arrives to cash out and spend the money in retirement , all of the gains are tax-free. Let’s take a look at five companies that should be solid… Young Canadians are using their Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) to set some cash aside for the future. One effective strategy for growing savings into a substantial cash pile involves owning quality dividend-growth stocks and using the distributions to buy new shares. Inside the TFSA, the compounding process can be tapped to its greatest effect, as the full value of the dividends can be used to acquir...

With total assets of $1.3 trillion, up from $563 billion in 2008, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is fast approaching RBC to become Canada’s largest bank by assets. But TD is not interested in growing for the sake of growing; it’s after profitable growth with high returns. Let’s look at the last 10 years to get a sense as to why TD stock should be a core holding . As we know, all banks were tested in 2008 and 2009, and never before was strong risk management more important. TD was already a culture of prudent risk management. TD’s strategy has been consistent… With total assets of $1.3 trillion, up from $563 billion in 2008, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is fast approaching RBC to become Canada’s largest bank by assets. But TD is not interested in growing for the sake of growing; it’s after profitable growth with high returns. Let’s look at the last 10 years to get a sense as to why TD stock should be a core holding . As we know, all banks were teste...

Marijuana stocks are on fire — again. Driven by the news that beverage gorilla Coca-Cola is interested in teaming up with Aurora Cannabis to develop a CBD-infused drink , all major weed plays jumped last week, with the likes of Cronos Group and Hexo even busting through to new 52-week highs. But speculative pot stocks aren’t the only ones doing well. For more conservative investors, here are three dividend-paying stocks that also hit new highs last week. While they don’t have the “quick-double” appeal of weed stocks, their lower-risk nature gives them a better chance at sustained momentum. Remember, Fools: buying… Marijuana stocks are on fire — again. Driven by the news that beverage gorilla Coca-Cola  is interested in teaming up with Aurora Cannabis to develop a CBD-infused drink , all major weed plays jumped last week, with the likes of Cronos Group and Hexo even busting through to new 52-week highs. But speculative pot stocks aren’t the only ones doing well. For m...

By far, no investments have delivered greater returns than stocks over the long haul. So, you should consider focusing your portfolio on stocks over bonds or other fixed-income investments if you have the appetite to take on the risk of owning the underlying businesses of stocks. The average long-term returns of the U.S. market is about 10%, while the Canadian market return is typically lower. Among stocks, small-cap exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with a focus on growth rather than value have tended to deliver even slightly higher returns. Generally, when you buy individual stocks, you want to aim for returns of… By far, no investments have delivered greater returns than stocks over the long haul. So, you should consider focusing your portfolio on stocks over bonds or other fixed-income investments if you have the appetite to take on the risk of owning the underlying businesses of stocks. The average long-term returns of the U.S. market is about 10%, while the Canadian market retur...

When it comes to stability, high upfront yields, and consistent dividend growth, it’s hard to do better than Canada’s Big Five banks, the perfect balance of all the sought-after attributes. Think of the big banks as an essential nutrient to a diversified portfolio if you will. For a risk-averse investor who’s looking to the most favourable risk/reward trade-off, the big banks are a must. They’ve got a rock solid foundation that’s a must for any optimal portfolio. It’s not a mystery as to why many professional money managers include the big banks as one of their fund’s largest holdings. It’s… When it comes to stability, high upfront yields, and consistent dividend growth, it’s hard to do better than Canada’s Big Five banks, the perfect balance of all the sought-after attributes. Think of the big banks as an essential nutrient to a diversified portfolio if you will. For a risk-averse investor who’s looking to the most favourable risk/reward trade-off, the big banks are a must. They...

One of the most remarkable, and underrated things about Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is the fact that it’s stayed on top of its game when it comes to investing in financial technology to become a more future-proof bank in an era that’s chock-full of disruptive up-and-comers. That’s not to discount the other tech efforts made by the other Big Five Canadian banks though, as they haven’t cheaped out when it comes to spending on the extremely forward-looking efforts. But one can’t help but notice the countless number of patents that TD Bank has filed over the years. When it comes to… One of the most remarkable, and underrated things about  Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) is the fact that it’s stayed on top of its game when it comes to investing in financial technology to become a more future-proof bank in an era that’s chock-full of disruptive up-and-comers. That’s not to discount the other tech efforts made by the other Big Five Canadian banks though, ...

“Confronted with a challenge to distill the secret of sound investment into three words, we venture the motto, Margin of Safety.” — Benjamin Graham When the stock market is climbing, it’s easy to forget one of the most central concepts of investing: margin of safety. What does a margin of safety mean, exactly? Simple. It means buying stocks only when you’re able to get a significant discount on them. In other words, you don’t cut it close by buying a company worth $4 billion for $3.9 billion. Instead, you need to give yourself a much wider margin for error and… “Confronted with a challenge to distill the secret of sound investment into three words, we venture the motto, Margin of Safety.” — Benjamin Graham When the stock market is climbing, it’s easy to forget one of the most central concepts of investing: margin of safety. What does a margin of safety mean, exactly? Simple. It means buying stocks only when you’re able to get a significant discount on them. In other words, you...

With earnings season behind us, I thought I’d highlight a particularly important group of Q3 winners: Canadian banks. As my fellow Fool Stephanie Bedard-Chateuneuf recently pointed out , the quarter was a strong one for the group, with all Big Five banks — CIBC (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM), Royal Bank (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY), Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO), Scotiabank (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS), and TD (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) — managing to top analyst estimates. Thanks to increased interest rates, pumped-up lending volume, and a strong economy — in both Canada and the U.S. — the Big Five posted solid average earnings growth of 9%. But if that’s not comforting enough, here’s… With earnings season behind us, I thought I’d highlight a particularly important group of Q3 winners: Canadian banks. As my fellow Fool Stephanie Bedard-Chateuneuf recently pointed out , the quarter was a strong one for the group, with all Big Five banks — CIBC (TSX:CM) (NYSE:CM), Royal Bank (TSX:RY) (NYSE:RY), Bank of Montreal (...

In the Canadian financials sector, picking and choosing one financial institution to represent Canada’s banking sector is a difficult task given the unique profiles of each of Canada’s largest six banks. Topping my list for conservative long-term investors looking for Canadian and international banking exposure is Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) for a number of reasons. Royal Bank is perhaps one of the most evenly diversified banks traded on the TSX, with excellent geographical and sector-specific diversification. The company is not over-invested in one specific area, and continues to provide long-term investors with steady and predictable returns over time. The size of… In the Canadian financials sector, picking and choosing one financial institution to represent Canada’s banking sector is a difficult task given the unique profiles of each of Canada’s largest six banks. Topping my list for conservative long-term investors looking for Canadian and international ban...

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) has been having a great run these past 12 months. Trading at $66 on September 6 on 2017, it’s now hovering around $79 at the time of writing. That’s a 19% return–fantastic for a mature company like TD. And even after these gains, the stock trades at just 13.5 times earnings! But can TD stock keep delivering steady returns to investors? I’ll start by looking at the underlying company. Market position TD–like all of Canada’s big banks–is a very solid company. A big part of the reason is the nature of Canadian banking. Canada’s banking sector is not… Toronto-Dominion Bank  (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD) has been having a great run these past 12 months. Trading at $66 on September 6 on 2017, it’s now hovering around $79 at the time of writing. That’s a 19% return–fantastic for a mature company like TD. And even after these gains, the stock trades at just 13.5 times earnings! But can TD stock keep delivering steady returns to investors? I’ll start ...

Banking, gold, and real estate sound like cliched choices for Canadian dividend stocks, but the fact is that the three picks below pay some of the best dividend yields on the TSX at today’s prices. Great choices for RRSPs, RRIFs, or TFSAs, the following three stocks should make welcome additions to any domestic investment portfolio. Centamin (TSX:CEE) Gold is still on many investors’ lips at the moment, with prices in the yellow metal remaining slightly volatile. It’s still one of the most defensive commodities you can get invested in though, and this stock in particular looks set to reward long-term… Banking, gold, and real estate sound like cliched choices for Canadian dividend stocks, but the fact is that the three picks below pay some of the best dividend yields on the TSX at today’s prices. Great choices for RRSPs, RRIFs, or TFSAs, the following three stocks should make welcome additions to any domestic investment portfolio. Centamin (TSX:CEE) Gold is still on many investo...

Dividend investors are constantly searching for ways to diversify their holdings, and one popular strategy involves owning Canadian stocks that derive a large chunk of their revenue and earnings from U.S. operations. Let’s take a look at three names that might be interesting picks today. Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) Bank of Montreal is primarily known for its Canadian business, but the company has a large U.S. division that is generating some impressive results. Bank of Montreal first dipped its toes in the U.S. market in the 1980s when it purchased Harris Bank. Over the years, additional acquisitions… Dividend investors are constantly searching for ways to diversify their holdings, and one popular strategy involves owning Canadian stocks that derive a large chunk of their revenue and earnings from U.S. operations. Let’s take a look at three names that might be interesting picks today. Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) (NYSE:BMO) Bank of Montreal is primarily known for its ...

If you are a serious investor that is searching for ways to benefit from the different macro trends that are dominating the headlines, take a moment to consider positioning your portfolio for rising interest rates. Interest rate swings have long influenced stock market moves, and this time is no different. The latest move, a 25-basis-point rise in interest rates, brought the benchmark rate to 1.5%. So, without further hesitation, let’s take a look at two Canadian banks , both beneficiaries of this rising interest rate environment that provide investors with solid dividend income as well as a strong potential… If you are a serious investor that is searching for ways to benefit from the different macro trends that are dominating the headlines, take a moment to consider positioning your portfolio for rising interest rates. Interest rate swings have long influenced stock market moves, and this time is no different. The latest move, a 25-basis-point rise in interest rates, brought t...

If you were to sit down two years ago and consider the future growth prospects of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM), you would have likely come to the conclusion that the bank was an acceptable investment, but not exactly a great long-term pick with a flashing “Buy now!” sign over it. How far CIBC has come in two years One of the common criticisms just a few years ago was that CIBC lacked any real growth prospects outside Canada. The bank had mostly exited the U.S. market nearly a decade ago and was sitting relatively still, while its… If you were to sit down two years ago and consider the future growth prospects of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) (NYSE:CM), you would have likely come to the conclusion that the bank was an acceptable investment, but not exactly a great long-term pick with a flashing “Buy now!” sign over it. How far CIBC has come in two years One of the common criticisms just a few years ago was that CIBC lacked any real growth p...