Updating Bank of Nova Scotia and Fortis

Article Excerpt

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $52 (www.scotiabank.com) will get $60 million in earnings from Scotiabank Mexico, its Mexican subsidiary, in its current quarter; Bank of Nova Scotia earned $1.5 billion, or $1.36 a share, in the quarter ended April 30, 2011. The Mexican operation’s latest earnings are down 1.9% from a year earlier, because higher operating costs offset lower loan-loss provisions. Best Buy. FORTIS INC. $30 (www.fortisinc.com) recently cancelled its deal to buy Central Vermont Public Service Corp., which distributes electricity in Vermont. Fortis got an $18.8-million break-up fee as a result. To put this figure in context, Fortis earned $58.0 million in the second quarter of 2011, up 5.5% from $55.0 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 3.1%, to $0.33 from $0.32, on more shares outstanding. Strong gains from its western Canadian power utilities offset lower earnings at its B.C. gas-distribution business. Hold. Hold…