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BMO Equal Weight US Banks ETFZBK.TOPAST TOP PICKJun 01, 2017Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 19, 2026. Market Open.
The US bank sector of course has had a tough year, and the outlook will largely depend on the economy and rates. However, the fund now has an average P/E of 5.5X and an indicated yield of 3.49%. We think this is cheap enough that investors can slowly start buying the sector now.
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Higher rates can be good for the financial sector.
The main concern is whether rates push us into recession.
Certainly a possibility, but right now the economy is much stronger than most expected, and thus banks should be OK for a while.
At some point, the narrative is going to shift from higher rates to corporate earnings, and corporate earnings have been OK.
ZBK we think can be held, but like any equity is not risk-free.
We think holders should have at least an 18 month timeframe here.
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He wouldn't buy the covered call. If you like American banks, buy them individually. He would rather buy ZBK which is a play on American banks without a covered call. Basically, you're paying a premium for covered calls..
BMO Equal Weight (ZBK-T) or Low Volatility US Equities (ZLU-T)?He would be buying the ZBK. They also have the ZUB, which is the Canadian hedged version. He likes the US banking sector. If you want something a little more aggressive which targets a particular sector of the market, he would be fine with ZLU.
(Top Pick Mar 14’16, Up 45%) He likes the American Banks. He likes them even if they were a bit soft. Probably interest rates will rise. He is using the unhedged version of the ETF.