BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $67.34 - Toronto symbol BNS

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $67.34 (Toronto symbol BNS; Shares outstanding: 1.2 billion; Market cap: $81.7 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 3.9%, www.scotiabank.com) may be planning to sell its 35 bank branches and related operations in Puerto Rico. That’s because the island’s sluggish economy and high unemployment continue to hurt loan demand.

Selling this business could raise $600 million U.S., which is equal to 1.0% of Bank of Nova Scotia’s $81.7-billion (Canadian) market cap (or the value of all of its outstanding shares).

The bank would probably invest the proceeds from the sale of the Puerto Rican assets in more promising areas of Latin America, such as Chile and Colombia.

Bank of Nova Scotia is a buy.

A professional investment analyst for more than 30 years, Pat has developed a stock-selection technique that has proven reliable in both bull and bear markets. His proprietary ValuVesting System™ focuses on stocks that provide exceptional quality at relatively low prices. Many savvy investors and industry leaders consider it the most powerful stock-picking method ever created.