Is it a good company at a reasonable price? This bank has a good history of growth until this year. Analysts think growth will pick up again either this year or next year. My favourite stock tests of dividend yields and P/S Ratio says that the stock price is reasonable. However, all the other tests say it is expensive. The analysts that give this stock a Hold rating are probably right.
I do not own this stock of EQB Inc (TSX-EQB, OTC-EQGPF). I had read a glowing report on investing on this company in 2013, so I decided to check it out. It was interesting as it was loaning money to new immigrants, a class of people who generally have a difficult time getting loans and mortgages from our regular banks. It sounded intriguing.
When I was updating my spreadsheet, I noticed that they did not have a good year in 2025. Revenue went down and it has seldom done that. Adjusted Earnings per Share (AEPS) and EPS also went down. Generally speaking, the bank has had great growth in the past. Compare the growth to the end of October 2025 and to the end of October 2026. You can see the growth in AEPS and Net Income is down.
In the chart below, I am showing 5 and 10 year total growth and per year growth in columns 3 and 4 to the end of October 2025.
| Yr | Item | Tot. Gwth | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Revenue Growth | 127.06% | 17.82% |
| 5 | AEPS Growth | 79.35% | 12.39% |
| 5 | Net Income Growth | 93.19% | 14.08% |
| 5 | Cash Flow Growth | -190.43% | N/C |
| 5 | Dividend Growth | 185.25% | 23.32% |
| 5 | Stock Price Growth | 81.02% | 12.60% |
| 10 | Revenue Growth | 413.63% | 17.78% |
| 10 | AEPS Growth | 236.76% | 12.91% |
| 10 | Net Income Growth | 265.30% | 13.83% |
| 10 | Cash Flow Growth | -387.66% | N/C |
| 10 | Dividend Growth | 427.27% | 18.09% |
| 10 | Stock Price Growth | 201.42% | 11.66% |
In the chart below, I am showing 5 and 10 year total growth and per year growth in columns 3 and 4 to the end of October 2026.
| Yr | Item | Tot. Gwth | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Revenue Growth | 119.88% | 17.07% |
| 5 | AEPS Growth | 37.56% | 6.59% |
| 5 | Net Income Growth | 16.94% | 3.18% |
| 5 | Cash Flow Growth | 14.38% | 2.72% |
| 5 | Dividend Growth | 181.08% | 22.96% |
| 5 | Stock Price Growth | 105.72% | 15.52% |
| 10 | Revenue Growth | 351.51% | 16.27% |
| 10 | AEPS Growth | 129.98% | 8.68% |
| 10 | Net Income Growth | 103.77% | 7.38% |
| 10 | Cash Flow Growth | 52.50% | 4.31% |
| 10 | Dividend Growth | 462.16% | 18.85% |
| 10 | Stock Price Growth | 303.46% | 14.97% |
If you had invested in this company in December 2015, for $1,004.25 you would have bought 39 shares at $25.74 per share. In December 2025, after 10 years you would have received $374.99 in dividends. The stock would be worth $4,051.71. Your total return would have been $4,426.70. This would be a total return of 16.71% per year with 14.97% from capital gain and 1.74% from dividends.
| Cost | Tot. Cost | Shares | Years | Dividends | Stock Val | Tot Ret |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25.75 | $1,004.25 | 39 | 10 | $374.99 | $4,051.71 | $4,426.70 |
The current dividend yield is moderate with dividend growth good. The current dividend yield is moderate (2% to 4% ranges) at 2.06%. The 5, 10 and historical dividend yields are low (below 2%) at 1.82%, 1.70% and 1.63%. The dividend growth is good (above 15% per year) at 23% per year over the past 5 years. The last dividend increase was in 2025 and it was for 3.64%. This bank rises the dividend at least several times in a year. The Dividends grow by 19.5% between 2024 and 2025.
The Dividend Payout Ratios (DPR) are good. The DPR for 2025 for Earnings per Share (EPS) is good at 31% with 5 year coverage at 17%. The DPR for 2025 for Adjusted Earnings per Share (AEPS) is good at 23% with 5 year coverage at 16%. The DPR for 2025 for Cash Flow per Share (CFPS) is good at 14% with 5 year coverage at 10%. The DPR for 2025 for Free Cash Flow (FCF) is good at 15% with 5 year coverage at 12%. I only have FCF from this bank and the value for 2025 is $555.31M.
| Item | Cur | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|
| EPS | 31.28% | 17.20% |
| AEPS | 23.37% | 15.51% |
| CFPS | 14.43% | 10.08% |
| FCF | 14.77% | 11.73% |
Debt Ratios are fine. The Long Term Debt/Market Cap Ratio for 2025 is relatively high at 12.24 and currently at 11.60, but not high for a bank. However, we need also to look at the Long Term Debt/Covering Assets Ratio for 2025 which is good at 0.91 and currently at 0.90 because this is a more important ratio for a bank. The Liquidity Ratio for 2025 is good at 3.74 and 2.65 currently. The Debt Ratio for 2025 is fine for a bank at 1.06 and 1.06 currently. The Leverage Ratios for 2025 are fine at 5.3% and currently at 5.3%.
| Type | Year End | Ratio Curr |
|---|---|---|
| Lg Term A | 0.91 | 0.90 |
| Lg Term R | 12.24 | 11.60 |
| Intang/GW | 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Liquidity | 3.74 | 2.65 |
| Liq. + CF | 4.28 | 4.28 |
| Debt Ratio | 1.06 | 1.06 |
| Bk Leverage | 5.3% | 5.3% |
The Total Return per year is shown below for years of 5 to 22 to the end of 2025. Under the Capital Gain column is the portion of the Total Return attributable to capital gains. Under the Dividend column is the portion of the Total Return attributable to dividends. See chart below.
| From | Years | Div. Gth | Tot Ret | Cap Gain | Div. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 22.96% | 17.58% | 15.52% | 2.06% |
| 2015 | 10 | 18.85% | 16.76% | 14.97% | 1.79% |
| 2010 | 15 | 16.90% | 16.95% | 15.17% | 1.78% |
| 2005 | 20 | 13.86% | 12.62% | 11.26% | 1.36% |
| 2003 | 22 | 10.83% | 11.71% | 10.48% | 1.23% |
The 5-year low, median, and high median Price/Earnings per Share Ratios are 6.11, 8.59 and 10.72. The corresponding 10 year ratios are 5.43, 6.97 and 9.32. The corresponding historical ratios are 5.69, 7.05 and 9.32. The current ratio is 14.46 based on a stock price of $110.48 and EPS estimate for 2026 of 7.64. The current ratio is above the high ratio of the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively expensive.
I also have Adjusted Earnings per Share (AEPS) data. The 5-year low, median, and high median Price/Earnings per Share Ratios are 6.17,8.07 and 9.97. The corresponding 10 year ratios are 5.09, 6.90 and 8.98. The corresponding historical ratios are 5.23, 47.06 and 8.67. The current ratio is 11.73 based on a stock price of $110.48 and AEPS estimate for 2026 of $9.42. The current ratio is above the high ratio of the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively expensive.
I get a Graham Price of $131.45. The 10-year low, median, and high median Price/Graham Price Ratios are 0.40, 0.54 and 0.70. The current P/GP Ratio is 0.84 based on a stock price of $110.48. The current ratio is above the high ratio of the 10 year median ratios. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively expensive.
I get a 10-year median Price/Book Value per Share Ratio of 0.99. The current ratio is 1.36 based on a Book Value of $3,064M, Book Value per Share of $81.52 and a stock price of $110.48. The current ratio is 37% above the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively expensive.
I also have a Book Value per Share estimate for 2026 of $85.82. This implies a ratio of 1.29 based on a stock price of $110.48 and Book Value of $85.82. This ratio is 30% above the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively expensive.
I get a 10-year median Price/Cash Flow per Share Ratio of 3.72. The current ratio is 11.16 based on Cash Flow for the last 12 months of $371.9M, Cash Flow per Share of $9.90 and a stock price of $110.48. The current ratio is 200% above the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively expensive.
I get an historical median dividend yield of 1.65%. The current dividend yield is 2.06 based on dividends of $2.28 and a stock price of $110.84. The current dividend yield is 25% above the historical median dividend yield. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively cheap.
I get a 10 year median dividend yield of 1.77%. The current dividend yield is 2.06 based on dividends of $2.28 and a stock price of $110.84. The current dividend yield is 17% above the historical median dividend yield. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively reasonable and below the median.
The 10-year median Price/Sales (Revenue) Ratio is 3.19. The current ratio is 3.31 based on Revenue estimate for 2026 of $1,256M, Revenue per Share of $33.43 and a stock price of $110.48. The current ratio is 4% above the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively reasonable but above the median.
Results of stock price testing is that the stock price could still be reasonable. The dividend yield tests say it is reasonable and below the median. The P/S Ratio test says it is reasonable but above the median (but by only 4%). However, all the other tests are saying the stock price is expensive. Caution is advised.
When I look at analysts’ recommendations, I find Strong Buy (2), Buy (2), Hold (5) and Underperform (1). The consensus would be a Buy. The consensus would be a Buy. The 12 month stock price consensus is $107.22 with a high of $130.00 and a low of $91.00. The consensus stock price of $107.22 implies a total loss of 0.89% with a capital loss of 2.95% and dividends of 2.06% based on a current stock price of $110.48.
The last 5 analysts’ comments on Stock Chase are Do Not Buy, Sell, and Hold. Thoughts are high valuation and Provision for Credit Losses (PDL) higher than expected. Amy Legate-Wolfe on Motley Fool reviews this stock. She is worried about credit losses if Canada’s economy weakens. She thinks it is a positive if the bank partners with Loblaws for PC Financial. Andrew Button on Motley Fool thinks EQB is a dividend stock worth looking into. The company put out a Press Release about their fourth quarter results for 2025.
Simply Wall Street via Yahoo Finance reviews this stock and talks about those who invested 5 years ago are up 117%. Simply Wall Street has one risk of profit margins (22.8%) are lower than last year (33.9%).
EQB Inc operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger BankTM. It serves Canadians through two business lines, Personal Banking and Business Banking. Its web site is here EQB Inc.
The last stock I wrote about was about was Richelieu Hardware Ltd (TSX-RCH, OTC-RHUHF) ... learn more. The next stock I will write about will be AGF Management Ltd (TSX-AGF.B, OTC-AGFMF) ... learn more on Friday, February 6, 2026 around 5 pm. Tomorrow on my other blog I will write about Something to Buy February 2026.... learn more on Thursday, February 5, 2026 around 5 pm.
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