Smart acquisitions will pay off

Article Excerpt

TD Bank recently overtook Royal Bank as Canada’s largest bank by assets. That’s partly because it has spent about $20 billion in the past three years buying other businesses. Growth by acquisition is riskier than internal growth, as acquisitions carry an above-average chance of unpleasant surprises. However, TD took advantage of rare circumstances in wake of 2008 financial crisis to pick up new businesses at what could turn out be bargain prices. We considered making TD our Stock of the Year for 2014, but felt that high personal debt levels and rising housing prices could slow demand for new mortgages and other loans, at least in the short term. Still, we feel TD’s acquisitions enhance its long-term appeal. Moreover, its focus on North America cuts its risk. TORONTO-DOMINION BANK $49 (Toronto symbol TD; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 1.8 billion; Market cap: $88.2 billion; Priceto- sales ratio: 2.9; Dividend yield: 3.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.td.com)…