Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) Could Be the Biggest Bargain on the TSX Right Now

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) is a severely undervalued dividend king that I’d buy right now.

| More on:

Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) stock is a high-quality piece of merchandise that’s been unfairly slapped with a 10% discount over the last month. The bank has been firing on all cylinders over the past year and is making a strong case for why it should be one of the best Big Five banks to own over the next three years out.

While the stock may be bruised along with the broader basket of Canadian bank stocks, the underlying company itself hasn’t looked this good relative to its peers in a long time. Management has been operating at a level high level of late, and despite the recent market volatility, I suspect the bank will continue to pick up traction whether or not its stock is affected by the rout in the broader markets.

BMO’s U.S. business, which accounts for around a quarter of revenues, has been picking up a considerable amount of momentum with very promising levels of commercial loan growth. As BMO continues to beef up its positioning south of the border via acquisitions, I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see it become one of the first banks to roar out of the gate as bargain hunters begin to take notice of the reasonably wide discrepancy between the stock’s market value and its intrinsic value.

It’s not just BMO’s U.S. exposure that I’m bullish on, however. BMO’s Canadian business is impressive in its own right. The domestic retail banking business is seeing momentum, BMO’s robust Canadian ETF business is riding on a massive secular tailwind (the movement of Canadian capital from high-fee mutual funds to lower-cost alternatives), and best of all, BMO is the least exposed to the frothy Canadian housing market compared to its brothers in the Big Five.

Of all the Canadian banks, I think BMO has made the most progress over the past year, and I would strongly urge investors to back up the truck on shares today while they’re cheap. At the time of writing, BMO stock trades at a 10.3 forward P/E, and a 6.6 P/CF, both of which are considerably lower than the bank’s five-year historical average multiples of 11.9, and 21.5, respectively.

Foolish takeaway

BMO is making a comeback in a big way. The bank’s U.S. business is flexing its muscles, and with a fairly conservative growth profile on this side of the border, I have no problem slapping a “Strong Buy” on BMO shares while they remain depressed.

Stay hungry. Stay Foolish.

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 Joey Frenette has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

Canadian dollars in a magnifying glass
Dividend Stocks

3 High-Yield Dividend Stocks That Are Screaming Buys Right Now

Are you looking for great income stocks? Here's a trio of high-yield dividend stocks that pay insane yields right now.

Read more »

Piggy bank with word TFSA for tax-free savings accounts.
Dividend Stocks

Transform a $5,000 TFSA Into a $50,000 Retirement Nest Egg

The TFSA is a powerful tool that can grow a small investment into a substantial retirement nest egg over time.

Read more »

A meter measures energy use.
Dividend Stocks

Is Fortis Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Fortis has increased its dividend annually for the past five decades.

Read more »

analyze data
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks That Are Screaming Buys in November

Here are three top dividend stocks long-term investors won't want to ignore during this part of the market cycle.

Read more »

senior relaxes in hammock with e-book
Dividend Stocks

Generate $175/Month in Passive Income With a $30,000 Investment

Dividend aristocrats offer reliability, and many of them also offer generous yields. With sizable enough discounts, these yields can become…

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

Best Dividend Stocks to Buy Now for Canadian Investors

These three stocks would be excellent additions to your portfolios, given their solid underlying businesses, consistent dividend growth, and healthy…

Read more »

data analyze research
Dividend Stocks

3 Undervalued Stocks to Watch in November

Not all undervalued and discounted stocks are destined or poised to make a comeback soon, and a protracted timeline can…

Read more »

TFSA (Tax free savings account) acronym on wooden cubes on the background of stacks of coins
Dividend Stocks

The Perfect TFSA Stocks for Long-Term Growth

Two industry heavyweights are perfect stock holdings in a TFSA for long-term money growth.

Read more »