These safety-conscious stocks remain buys

Article Excerpt

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, $68.98, is a buy. The lender (Toronto symbol BNS; Shares outstanding: 1.2 billion; Market cap: $85.4 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 6.2%; www.scotiabank.com) will probably have to increase its loan-loss provisions as the current U.S. tariffs (and counter tariffs) could hurt borrowers in Canada and Mexico, particularly those in the automotive and agricultural industries. As a result, Bank of Nova Scotia’s earnings in the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025, will probably decline 4% to $5.64 a share. The stock trades at just 12.2 times that forecast. However, lower interest rates and the bank’s shift away from poorly performing markets in Latin America should spur its long-term growth. That plan includes buying 14.92% of U.S.-banking firm KeyCorp (New York symbol KEY) for $2.8 billion U.S. It’s also transferring its operations in Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama to banking firm Davivienda. In return, the bank will receive a 20% equity stake in Davivienda. Bank of Nova Scotia is a buy. SOUTH BOW…