New strategy will pay off for CIBC investors

Article Excerpt

You have already benefited from CIBC’s longstanding focus on Canada. Now its expansion in the U.S. sets you up for more gains. By tapping into that much bigger market, the bank lifts its growth prospects, cuts its risk and paves the way for stronger dividend increases for its investors. CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, $115, is a buy for both your gains and income. The bank (Toronto symbol CM; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 445.4 million; Market cap: $51.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.0; Dividend yield: 5.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.cibc.com) continues to reduce its focus on Canada, which now accounts for about 90% of its revenue. As part of that strategy to protect itself and its investors from risks in the Canadian economy, it paid $6.6 billion in cash and stock for Chicago’s PrivateBancorp in June 2017. That firm mainly lends to small and medium-sized businesses. Acquisition help fuel revenue and earnings Thanks to that purchase, CIBC’s revenue rose 33.5%, from…