The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Jan. 20, edition that Credit Suisse analyst Nick Stogdill says in a sector forecast report released on Friday that Canadian banks are enjoying momentum heading into 2018. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Stogdill rates Royal Bank of Canada ($107.72) "outperform." Mr. Stogdill boosted his share target to $114 from $108. Analysts on average target the shares at $109.13. Mr. Stogdill says in a note: "RY has: (1) A well-diversified business that continues to generate above-average EPS growth which also translates to above-average dividend growth (10 per cent in 2017 versus 7-per-cent peer average); (2) Leading platforms in Canada (Retail Banking, Wealth and Capital Markets) that have scale, enabling RY to both reinvest in its franchises and better manage through a slower growth environment, should that unfold. RY is the only bank to take restructuring charges within core earnings providing a modest tailwind for 2018; and (3) Upside to a stronger U.S. economy (rates, regulatory & tax reform) through its U.S. wealth and capital markets platforms. Lastly, we believe RY is well positioned on a relative basis on NAFTA."