Q2 earnings for the Canadian banks surprised on the upside once again, as they continue their trend of beating the consensus. Healthy optimism with respect to ending the pandemic and restarting the economy is providing support for the ongoing strength in the banking sector. On this episode of Market Points, Meny Grauman, Managing Director, Financial Services, Global Equity Research, discusses the key factors driving performance and his top favourite pick.

Important Disclosures
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. or its affiliates has managed or co-managed a public offering in the past 12 months: Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, TD Bank Financial Group, Canadian Western Bank, Laurentian Bank of Canada, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada. Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. or its affiliates has received compensation for investment banking services in the past 12 months: Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Canadian Western Bank, Laurentian Bank of Canada, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada. Within the last 12 months, Scotia Capital Inc. and/or its affiliates have undertaken an underwriting liability with respect to equity or debt securities of, or have provided advice for a fee with respect to, this issuer: Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, TD Bank Financial Group, Canadian Western Bank, Laurentian Bank of Canada, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada. The Head of Equity Research or a Supervisory Analyst owns securities of this issuer in his or her own account or in a related account: Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, TD Bank Financial Group, Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank Financial Group. Scotia Capital Inc. and its affiliates collectively beneficially own in excess of 1% of one or more classes of the issued and outstanding equity securities of this issuer: Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank Financial Group. The Bank of Nova Scotia and its affiliates collectively have a net long position in excess of 0.5% of the total issued share capital of the issuer: Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank Financial Group. Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. or its affiliates expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services in the next 3 months: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Canadian Western Bank, Laurentian Bank of Canada, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada. This issuer and its affiliates collectively beneficially own in excess of 5% of the total issued share capital of The Bank of Nova Scotia: Royal Bank of Canada. Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. had an investment banking services client relationship during the past 12 months: National Bank of Canada. Scotia Capital Inc. acted as financial advisor to iA Financial Corporation Inc. in the announced sale of iA Investment Counsel Inc. to Canadian Western Bank.