Updating Bank of Nova Scotia, TransCanada Corp., RIOCAN Real Estate Investment Trust, and Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

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BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $53 (Toronto symbol BNS; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 993.0 million; Market cap: $52.6 billion; SI Rating: Above average) continues to expand its international operations, which supply a third of its earnings. It recently agreed to acquire a 24.99% stake in Thailand’s eighth-largest bank for $240 million, which is about 24% of the $1.02 billion or $1.01 a share it earned in its most recent fiscal quarter. The bank is also opening new offices in Malaysia and Turkey. Overseas operations like these, particularly with local partners, give Bank of Nova Scotia access to high-potential markets at moderate risk. International operations also cut its exposure to the Canadian economy and its heavy reliance on natural resources. Bank of Nova Scotia is a buy. TRANSCANADA CORP. $38 (Toronto symbol TRP; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 489.0 million; Market cap: $18.6 billion; SI Rating: Above average) is thinking about expanding its proposed Keystone pipeline, which should begin operations…