Look for an earnings rebound in 2026

Article Excerpt

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $66 is a buy. The bank (Toronto symbol BNS; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 1.2 billion; Market cap: $79.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.3; Dividend yield: 6.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.scotiabank.com) will probably have to increase its loan-loss provisions as the current U.S. tariffs (and counter tariffs) could hurt borrowers in Canada and Mexico, particularly those in the automotive and agricultural industries. As a result, Bank of Nova Scotia’s earnings in the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025, will probably decline 4% to $5.64 a share. The stock trades at just 11.7 times that forecast. However, lower interest rates and ithe bank’s shift away from poorly performing markets in Latin America should spur its long-term growth. That plan includes buying 14.92% of U.S.-banking firm KeyCorp (New York symbol KEY) for $2.8 billion U.S. It’s also transferring its operations in Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama to banking firm Davivienda. In return, the bank will receive a 20%…