Scotiabank pivots north

Article Excerpt

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, $62.72, is buy. The lender (Toronto symbol BNS; Shares outstanding: 1.2 billion; Market cap: $76.1 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 6.8%; www.scotiabank.com) has narrowed its international focus in the past few years to four countries in Latin America—Mexico, Peru, Colombia and Chile. Those four markets—which the bank refers to as “the Pacific Alliance”—have favourable long-term demographics. The international division now accounts for 25% of the bank’s earnings. However, earnings from these countries have suffered recently due to economic challenges—especially spurred by the pandemic—and political instability. As a result, the bank now plans to earmark 90% of its capital to its main markets of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. That’s up from 70% in the most recent fiscal year, which ended October 31, 2023. It may also sell its operations in Central America and Colombia if returns don’t improve. Bank of Nova Scotia is buy. buy…