Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO) Buy, Sell or Hold

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Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO)

122.45

-2.91 (2.32%)

as of Aug 19, 2026, 3:03:12 pm Market Open.

2153 watching

Investor Insights

Aug 19, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 27 opinions in the last 12 months.

The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) is viewed as the weakest among Canadian banks, with varying opinions on its management changes, strategic focus, and overall performance. While some experts acknowledge its relatively low valuation and strong dividend yield, concerns about its Caribbean exposure and sluggish growth persist. The bank's recent investments, including its stake in KEY, have raised eyebrows, with some analysts preferring other banks like Royal Bank of Canada (RY) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD). Despite improvements in its operations and a favorable regulatory environment for banks in Canada, opinions remain mixed on BNS's ability to catch up to its peers. Analysts suggest that while it offers a decent yield and potentially good long-term prospects, caution is warranted amid uncertainties in the credit cycle and economic outlook.

Consensus

Cautious

Valuation

Fair Value

Similar

BUY

Very impressed with the move that the banks have shown. Has exposure to growing markets of Latin America, Caribbean and Mexico. Great yield. Banks have had a great run so that may be some backing and filling in the short term.

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PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick March 10/09. Up 74.9% excluding dividends.) Still likes but is now fairly valued. Still a Hold.

BUY

His favourite bank. Well managed, 19% return on equity. Likes what they are doing internationally. Dividend should rise at the end of 2010.

COMMENT

Far greater global exposure than the other banks. He prefers Toronto Dominion (TD-T) and Bank of Montreal (BMO-T).

WEAK BUY

Feels Canadian banks are fairly fully priced. Came out with as expected earnings and had a bit of a pop. You should have some exposure but should not have overweight.

BUY

Good international platform. They provisioned a lot for this exposure and it weighed down in the stock. Mexico has contributed good year or year increases in earnings.

COMMENT

Has done a lot of horizontal activity. Stop loss should be where it bounced off its most recent support level.

HOLD

13x forward earnings. BNS is on the higher end of the sector’s range.

DON'T BUY

Never owned it. Return on equity is better on TD and Royal. There is that out there situation with Latin America with BNS. You want to be in BNS when the market is low. Surprised if we see stellar returns from banks. They are being very aggressive in the US.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Increased regulation is an issue that all banks face. BNS very well run. Broad international exposure. Have a stake in two mutual fund companies. Would like to see it pull back a little. It’s logical that they will eventually try to buy all of CI. Likes National Bank.

BUY

They are cautious and prudent with respect to their international business. He does not own National or commerce.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Feb 3/09.) (BNN doesn't calculate % gains/losses anymore. Would make my job easier! Bill) Covered call writing. Long at $32.75, Short Feb. $34 Calls for $1.46. Would have gotten above and beyond the 8% yield that it has on an annualized basis.

BUY

Over the last year it is up 55%-60% because it's been the beneficiary of Canadian banks not cutting dividends or having to be bailed out. Also the Canadian economy is way better than US. One third of its earnings are from outside of North America. Good management. 4.3% dividend.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Canadian banks, at least temporarily, are a little out of favour now. Primary concern in the short term is capital as the new Basil requirements may slow the ability to raise dividends.

TOP PICK

At the beginning of the financial crisis, they seem to avoid a lot of the pitfalls that other banks fell in to. Didn't have a large exposure to the US. Beginning to get some headwinds in their Caribbean operations but have done very well in building a base in South America. A long-term core holding. Dividend yield of 4.3%.

Showing 916 to 930 of 1,691 entries

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