Key U.S. purchase pays off for Royal

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ROYAL BANK OF CANADA $99 (Toronto symbol RY; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 1.5 billion; Market cap: $148.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.8; Dividend yield: 3.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.rbc.com) is Canada’s largest bank by market cap. It has over 16 million individual and business clients in Canada, the U.S. and 35 other countries. In November 2015, Royal completed its acquisition of Los Angeles-based City National Bank. That firm lends to wealthy individuals and businesses in the entertainment, technology and health-care industries. The bank paid $5.5 billion U.S. in cash and shares for City National. As a result of the purchase, the U.S. now accounts for 23% of Royal’s total revenue. Canada remains its largest market at 60% of revenue, and other countries supply 17%. Big U.S. acquisition spurs revenue, earnings The City National purchase is the main reason why Royal’s revenue rose 31.8%, from $29.1 billion in 2012 to $38.4 billion in 2016 (fiscal years end October 31). Overall earnings…