Latin America shines for BNS

Article Excerpt

Higher interest rates in Canada have helped Bank of Nova Scotia offset slower mortgage demand. At the same time, strong loan growth and lower taxes for its operations in Latin America have boosted earnings. That international unit remains a key part of growth plans. In fact, Bank of Nova Scotia continues to expand there: it will now pay Peru’s largest retailer, Cencosud SA., $130 million for 51% of Banco Cencosud. BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $77.83 (Toronto symbol BNS; Shares outstanding: 1.2 billion; Market cap: $93.2 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 4.2%) is Canada’s third largest bank. For the quarter ended April 30, 2018, earnings rose 3.2%, to $2.06 billion from $1.99 billion a year earlier. Per-share earnings rose 4.9%, to $1.71 from $1.63, on fewer shares outstanding. Earnings from Canadian banking operations (47% of the total) rose 4.7%, while international business (32%) reported 13.4% higher profits. However, earnings from securities trading (21%) fell 13.5% on weaker results. That’s mainly due to lower…