Scotiabank invests in Vietnam

Article Excerpt

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA $46 (Toronto symbol BNS; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 1.0 billion; Market cap: $46.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.9; Dividend yield: 4.3%; SI Rating: Above Average) is paying an undisclosed sum for 10% of Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank). The deal should close in the third quarter of 2010. VietinBank is one of several state-owned banks in Vietnam. Bank of Nova Scotia’s expertise with similar-sized banks in China and Thailand will help VietinBank modernize and expand its operations. As well, this investment will help Bank of Nova Scotia establish a presence in Vietnam as the country liberalizes its economy. Bank of Nova Scotia is a buy. buy…