Thursday, April 06, 2023

Short sellers will be 'undone' by bets against TD: Investment strategist

TORONTO-DOMINION BANK (TD:CT)

79.65 0.24 (0.30%)
As of: 04/06/23 6:16:04 pm
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As short sellers place bets against Toronto-Dominion Bank, one investment strategist said the lender has managed its risks well and Canadian banks have withstood similar short positions in the past.

According to Bloomberg News, an analysis conducted by S3 Partners showed that short sellers have increased their positions against TD Bank in recent weeks.

Philip Petursson, the chief investment strategist at IG Wealth Management, said in an interview with BNN Bloomberg Wednesday that the recent short selling doesn’t surprise him as TD has a large U.S. presence.

“I think it's a play on the TD regional bank exposure that they have. But I wouldn't put as much emphasis or fear on TD’s prospects,” Petursson said. 

“TD is excellent in terms of its risk management. And I think that they've managed their U.S. exposure very well. I think the shorts will be undone by this.” 

Despite the increase in bets against the Toronto-based lender, Petursson said Canadian banks have withstood similar instances in the past. 

“About 10 years ago, we called it the ‘great white short,’ which turned into the ‘widow-maker trade’ because everyone was shorting the Canadian banks thinking that there would be a repeat of what we saw in the U.S. That never materialized and I don't think it will,” he said. 

Indications of liquidity concerns in Canada’s banking sector are scarce, according to Bloomberg News. However, analysts have noted TD’s exposure to a potential housing slowdown in Canada coupled with its presence in U.S. markets, through a stake in Charles Schwab Corp. and its plans to purchase U.S. regional bank First Horizon Corp.







Aimia's largest shareholder to vote against

re-election of board at annual meeting

AIMIA INC (AIM:CT)

3.70 0.03 (0.82%)
As of: 04/06/23 6:17:06 pm
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The largest shareholder of Aimia Inc. says it will vote against the re-election of the company's board of directors at its annual meeting later this month.

Mithaq Capital SPC says it is disappointed with recent events and has lost confidence in Aimia's board and management. 

Toronto-based Aimia responded by saying its corporate strategy is on track and shareholders should approach the development with caution. 

Aimia, which is scheduled to hold its annual meeting on April 18, sold its flagship Aeroplan loyalty program to Air Canada in 2019 and has reinvented itself as an investment holding company. 

Mithaq says its decision to vote against the re-election of the board includes concerns regarding capital allocation decisions related to acquisitions.

The affiliate of Mithaq Holding Company, a family office based in Saudi Arabia, says it holds a 19.9 per cent stake in Aimia.

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