BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $64 (www.scotiabank.com) earned $1.32 a share in its fiscal 2014 fourth quarter, which ended October 31, 2014. That figure excludes several unusual items, mainly severance costs related to the closure of 120 branches at its international division and the consolidation of some Canadian offices. The latest earnings are also up 2.3% from $1.29 a year earlier. Revenue gained 6.4%, to $5.7 billion from $5.4 billion. The bank recently raised its dividend by 3.1%. The new annual rate of $2.64 a share yields 4.1%. Bank of Nova Scotia has increased its dividend in 43 of the past 45 years. Best Buy.