Can a Big Food and Drinks Name Beat CIBC (TSX:CM) Stock on Defensiveness?

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) is one of the sturdiest stocks on the TSX index. Can it be dethroned by a drinks manufacturer?

| More on:

Looking for defensive stocks isn’t as easy as it looks. While certain sectors are traditionally considered defensive in nature, the fact is that a lot of the tickers you’ll see in your chosen industry simply will not do what you want or expect them to.

Using a simple five-point metric that emphasizes income, value, and dividends, it’s possible to comb through all of the stocks on the TSX to see which one can offer the investor somewhere safe to hide.

The five points chosen are: a market cap that tops CA$1 billion, sound financial health, a low P/E ratio, strong past growth of earnings, and the payment of a dividend.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM)

Of course there had to be a bank on this list – but not one of the ones you may have been thinking about. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) is looking like one of the most defensive stocks on the TSX index bar none — let alone of the Big Five.

CIBC’s market cap of CA$55 billion is almost enough on its own to reassure investors that their money is in good hands. However, throw in a low P/E ratio of 10.8 times earnings and you’ve got an even more attractive stock for defensive investors; value investors can look to a discount of 18% of its future cash flow value for conformation.

CIBC’s one-year past earnings growth of 14.5% beats the Canadian banking sector’s 10% one-year average as well as its own five-year average past earnings growth of 10.3%, and highlights good health.

For dividends, expect a yield of 4.38% at today’s price. A low proportion of non-loan assets are held by this banking giant, while an expected annual growth in earnings over the next 1-3 years of 4.2% is pretty positive for a financial stock at the moment.

Lassonde Industries (TSX:LAS.A)

A market cap of CA$2 billion qualifies this drinks producer for the list, though its P/E of 17.9 times earnings is lukewarm. A one-year past earnings growth of 24.6% outstrips its five-year average past earnings growth of 16.1%. A dividend yield of 1.41% is passable, though a debt level of 55.6% of net worth is a little high.

But is this stock really one to hold for long-term income? An annual growth in earnings of 7.2% over the next 1-3 years is on the cards, which is at least positive, even if it won’t this ticker on the radar of growth investors.

A return on equity of 14% last year shows middling to good use of shareholders’ funds.

However, it pays to check other signifiers of value: Lassonde Industries is overvalued by almost 5.5 times its future cash flow value at the moment, bursting that illusion of fair value suggested by its P/E ratio. This casts its dividend yield in a rather different light, and doesn’t pair well with its so-so ROE.

The bottom line

Using more than one indicator of value shows that the P/E ratio cannot be relied upon alone. Meanwhile, using the ROE to query stock quality throws an interesting light on otherwise impeccable statistics.

Looking at future growth analyses further contrasts the above stocks against their past performance. All told, the superior defensive the superior defensive stock here clearly has to be the banker.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Victoria Hetherington has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

Dividend Stocks

The 2 Best Canadian Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy Now

Blue-chip stocks can be some of the best stocks to have in any portfolio. But when they're trending upwards, investors…

Read more »

Canadian dollars in a magnifying glass
Dividend Stocks

Here Are My Top 3 Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

These top dividends stocks have consistently paid and increased their dividends. Further, this trend will continue.

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

Want a 7% Yield? The 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Today

These TSX stocks are offering high yields of over 7%, making them attractive for investors seeking steady passive income.

Read more »

how to save money
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $200 Right Now

These smartest dividend stocks can consistently pay and increase their dividends in the coming years, irrespective of the macro uncertainty.

Read more »

Electricity transmission towers with orange glowing wires against night sky
Dividend Stocks

3 Utility Stocks That Are Smart Buys for Canadians in November

These utility stocks benefit from regulated businesses and generate predictable cash flows that support higher dividend payouts.

Read more »

Start line on the highway
Dividend Stocks

Invest $10,000 in This Dividend Stock for $600 in Passive Income

Do you want to generate passive income? Forget the rental unit! This option will save you the mortgage yet still…

Read more »

Senior uses a laptop computer
Dividend Stocks

1 Reliable Dividend Stock for the Ultimate Retirement Income Stream

TD Bank (TSX:TD) shares are way too cheap with way too swollen a yield for retirees to pass up right…

Read more »

A worker drinks out of a mug in an office.
Dividend Stocks

Is Brookfield Infrastructure Partners a Buy for its 4.75% Yield?

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP) has a 4.75% dividend yield. Is it worth it?

Read more »