Should You Buy TD Bank Stock While it’s Below $85? #CanadaFinance

Written by Aditya Raghunath at The Motley Fool Canada

Shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD) have delivered market-beating returns to long-term shareholders. Since April 1995, TD Bank stock has returned 1,820%. Moreover, if we adjust for dividend reinvestments, cumulative returns are closer to 5,480%. It means a $1,000 investment in TD stock three decades back would be worth close to $56,000 today.

Despite these outsized gains, the TSX stock is down 22% from all-time highs. So, let’s see if you should buy the TSX bank stock while it’s below $85.

TD Bank is making significant progress on its balance sheet repositioning and strategic review while navigating economic uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs. The bank’s new chief executive officer (CEO), Raymond Chun, is leading a comprehensive strategic review process that is approximately two-thirds complete.

The review focuses on four key areas: capital allocation across business lines, simplifying the portfolio, investing in growth capabilities, and restructuring the bank’s cost base.

The recent sale of TD’s stake in Charles Schwab generated approximately $15 billion in capital, with $8 billion allocated to share buybacks and the remainder reserved for strategic initiatives. The Canadian bank has initiated its buyback program and expects to repurchase up to 100 million shares over the next 12 months.

While focusing on organic growth, TD has categorically ruled out near-term acquisitions, with Chun stating that mergers and acquisitions (M&A) would be too distracting. At the same time, the bank is prioritizing remediating anti-money laundering (AML) issues. TD has budgeted approximately $500 million annually for 2024 and 2025 for AML remediation, with expenses expected to normalize in 2027.

In its U.S. operations, TD is making substantial progress in repositioning its balance sheet. The bank has created approximately $40 billion in buffer space below its $434 billion asset cap and completed a bond repositioning program, which is expected to generate $300 million to $ 500 million in additional net interest income.

Chief Financial Officer Kelvin Tran acknowledged that newly imposed tariffs between the U.S. and Canada would create economic headwinds but expressed confidence in the bank’s ability to manage through this period. TD has observed customers taking a “wait-and-see approach,” with some pausing investment decisions amid the uncertainty.

Despite a challenging environment, TD’s business momentum remains strong. The wholesale banking division achieved a record $2 billion in quarterly revenue in the fiscal first quarter (Q1) (ended in January), following the integration of Cowen. Meanwhile, the wealth management business posted record earnings, with a return on equity nearly double that of its closest competitor.