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Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) Competitors

Bank of Nova Scotia logo
C$128.36 -0.48 (-0.37%)
As of 08/28/2026 04:00 PM Eastern

BNS vs. RY, TD, BMO, CM, and NA

Should you buy Bank of Nova Scotia stock or one of its competitors? Bank of Nova Scotia's main competitors and comparable companies include Royal Bank of Canada (RY), Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD), Bank of Montreal (BMO), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM), and National Bank of Canada (NA). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "diversified banks" industry.

How does Bank of Nova Scotia compare to Royal Bank of Canada?

Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY) and Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, dividends and media sentiment.

Royal Bank of Canada pays an annual dividend of C$6.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Bank of Nova Scotia pays an annual dividend of C$4.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. Royal Bank of Canada pays out 41.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Bank of Nova Scotia pays out 60.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Royal Bank of Canada currently has a consensus target price of C$292.64, suggesting a potential upside of 2.98%. Bank of Nova Scotia has a consensus target price of C$128.86, suggesting a potential upside of 0.39%. Given Royal Bank of Canada's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Royal Bank of Canada is more favorable than Bank of Nova Scotia.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Royal Bank of Canada
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.77
Bank of Nova Scotia
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

30.7% of Royal Bank of Canada shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.2% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Bank of Nova Scotia had 6 more articles in the media than Royal Bank of Canada. MarketBeat recorded 36 mentions for Bank of Nova Scotia and 30 mentions for Royal Bank of Canada. Bank of Nova Scotia's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat Royal Bank of Canada's score of 0.14 indicating that Bank of Nova Scotia is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Royal Bank of Canada
7 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Bank of Nova Scotia
8 Very Positive mention(s)
9 Positive mention(s)
9 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Royal Bank of Canada has a net margin of 15.92% compared to Bank of Nova Scotia's net margin of 14.08%. Royal Bank of Canada's return on equity of 16.11% beat Bank of Nova Scotia's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Royal Bank of Canada15.92% 16.11% 0.80%
Bank of Nova Scotia 14.08%11.41%0.55%

Royal Bank of Canada has a beta of 1.052381, indicating that its stock price is 5% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bank of Nova Scotia has a beta of 1.295029, indicating that its stock price is 30% more volatile than the broader market.

Royal Bank of Canada has higher revenue and earnings than Bank of Nova Scotia. Bank of Nova Scotia is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Royal Bank of Canada, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Royal Bank of CanadaC$69.51B5.68C$16.24BC$15.3818.48
Bank of Nova ScotiaC$39.39B3.97C$7.73BC$7.2517.70

Summary

Royal Bank of Canada beats Bank of Nova Scotia on 13 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Bank of Nova Scotia compare to Toronto-Dominion Bank?

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, media sentiment, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation and institutional ownership.

Bank of Nova Scotia currently has a consensus target price of C$128.86, suggesting a potential upside of 0.39%. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a consensus target price of C$170.00, suggesting a potential upside of 0.82%. Given Toronto-Dominion Bank's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Toronto-Dominion Bank is more favorable than Bank of Nova Scotia.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Bank of Nova Scotia
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Toronto-Dominion Bank
1 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.55

In the previous week, Bank of Nova Scotia had 12 more articles in the media than Toronto-Dominion Bank. MarketBeat recorded 36 mentions for Bank of Nova Scotia and 24 mentions for Toronto-Dominion Bank. Bank of Nova Scotia's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat Toronto-Dominion Bank's score of 0.69 indicating that Bank of Nova Scotia is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Bank of Nova Scotia
8 Very Positive mention(s)
9 Positive mention(s)
9 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Toronto-Dominion Bank
5 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

27.2% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.9% of Toronto-Dominion Bank shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Toronto-Dominion Bank shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Toronto-Dominion Bank has higher revenue and earnings than Bank of Nova Scotia. Bank of Nova Scotia is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Toronto-Dominion Bank, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Bank of Nova ScotiaC$39.39B3.97C$7.73BC$7.2517.70
Toronto-Dominion BankC$63.78B4.37C$8.88BC$8.5219.79

Bank of Nova Scotia pays an annual dividend of C$4.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. Toronto-Dominion Bank pays an annual dividend of C$4.26 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Bank of Nova Scotia pays out 60.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Toronto-Dominion Bank pays out 50.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Bank of Nova Scotia has a beta of 1.295029, meaning that its stock price is 30% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Toronto-Dominion Bank has a beta of 0.875794, meaning that its stock price is 12% less volatile than the broader market.

Toronto-Dominion Bank has a net margin of 14.36% compared to Bank of Nova Scotia's net margin of 14.08%. Toronto-Dominion Bank's return on equity of 12.83% beat Bank of Nova Scotia's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Bank of Nova Scotia14.08% 11.41% 0.55%
Toronto-Dominion Bank 14.36%12.83%0.43%

Summary

Toronto-Dominion Bank beats Bank of Nova Scotia on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Bank of Nova Scotia compare to Bank of Montreal?

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS) and Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, valuation and media sentiment.

27.2% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.6% of Bank of Montreal shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Bank of Montreal shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Bank of Nova Scotia currently has a consensus target price of C$128.86, indicating a potential upside of 0.39%. Bank of Montreal has a consensus target price of C$257.36, indicating a potential upside of 7.58%. Given Bank of Montreal's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Bank of Montreal is more favorable than Bank of Nova Scotia.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Bank of Nova Scotia
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Bank of Montreal
1 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.46

Bank of Nova Scotia pays an annual dividend of C$4.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. Bank of Montreal pays an annual dividend of C$6.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Bank of Nova Scotia pays out 60.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Bank of Montreal pays out 50.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Bank of Nova Scotia has a net margin of 14.08% compared to Bank of Montreal's net margin of 11.75%. Bank of Nova Scotia's return on equity of 11.41% beat Bank of Montreal's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Bank of Nova Scotia14.08% 11.41% 0.55%
Bank of Montreal 11.75%10.58%0.50%

Bank of Nova Scotia has a beta of 1.295029, meaning that its stock price is 30% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bank of Montreal has a beta of 1.21817, meaning that its stock price is 22% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Bank of Montreal had 9 more articles in the media than Bank of Nova Scotia. MarketBeat recorded 45 mentions for Bank of Montreal and 36 mentions for Bank of Nova Scotia. Bank of Nova Scotia's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat Bank of Montreal's score of 0.45 indicating that Bank of Nova Scotia is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Bank of Nova Scotia
8 Very Positive mention(s)
9 Positive mention(s)
9 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Bank of Montreal
10 Very Positive mention(s)
12 Positive mention(s)
14 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Bank of Nova Scotia has higher revenue and earnings than Bank of Montreal. Bank of Nova Scotia is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bank of Montreal, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Bank of Nova ScotiaC$39.39B3.97C$7.73BC$7.2517.70
Bank of MontrealC$38.33B4.35C$7.28BC$13.0218.37

Summary

Bank of Nova Scotia beats Bank of Montreal on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Bank of Nova Scotia compare to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce?

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM) and Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, media sentiment, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, profitability and dividends.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce presently has a consensus target price of C$167.71, indicating a potential upside of 5.42%. Bank of Nova Scotia has a consensus target price of C$128.86, indicating a potential upside of 0.39%. Given Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is more favorable than Bank of Nova Scotia.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.42
Bank of Nova Scotia
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a net margin of 16.13% compared to Bank of Nova Scotia's net margin of 14.08%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's return on equity of 15.44% beat Bank of Nova Scotia's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce16.13% 15.44% 0.69%
Bank of Nova Scotia 14.08%11.41%0.55%

In the previous week, Bank of Nova Scotia had 20 more articles in the media than Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. MarketBeat recorded 36 mentions for Bank of Nova Scotia and 16 mentions for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Bank of Nova Scotia's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's score of 0.24 indicating that Bank of Nova Scotia is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Bank of Nova Scotia
8 Very Positive mention(s)
9 Positive mention(s)
9 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

30.1% of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.2% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Bank of Nova Scotia has higher revenue and earnings than Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bank of Nova Scotia, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Canadian Imperial Bank of CommerceC$31.06B4.68C$7.07BC$10.0815.78
Bank of Nova ScotiaC$39.39B3.97C$7.73BC$7.2517.70

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce pays an annual dividend of C$4.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Bank of Nova Scotia pays an annual dividend of C$4.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce pays out 40.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Bank of Nova Scotia pays out 60.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a beta of 1.395418, indicating that its share price is 40% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bank of Nova Scotia has a beta of 1.295029, indicating that its share price is 30% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce beats Bank of Nova Scotia on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Bank of Nova Scotia compare to National Bank of Canada?

National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA) and Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, earnings, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and media sentiment.

National Bank of Canada pays an annual dividend of C$4.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Bank of Nova Scotia pays an annual dividend of C$4.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. National Bank of Canada pays out 42.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Bank of Nova Scotia pays out 60.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

National Bank of Canada has a beta of 1.34951, suggesting that its stock price is 35% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bank of Nova Scotia has a beta of 1.295029, suggesting that its stock price is 30% more volatile than the broader market.

National Bank of Canada presently has a consensus target price of C$216.33, indicating a potential upside of 1.16%. Bank of Nova Scotia has a consensus target price of C$128.86, indicating a potential upside of 0.39%. Given National Bank of Canada's higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe National Bank of Canada is more favorable than Bank of Nova Scotia.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
National Bank of Canada
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.36
Bank of Nova Scotia
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

36.2% of National Bank of Canada shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.2% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of National Bank of Canada shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Bank of Nova Scotia shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Bank of Nova Scotia has higher revenue and earnings than National Bank of Canada. Bank of Nova Scotia is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than National Bank of Canada, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
National Bank of CanadaC$14.92B5.52C$4.38BC$11.3018.93
Bank of Nova ScotiaC$39.39B3.97C$7.73BC$7.2517.70

In the previous week, Bank of Nova Scotia had 16 more articles in the media than National Bank of Canada. MarketBeat recorded 36 mentions for Bank of Nova Scotia and 20 mentions for National Bank of Canada. Bank of Nova Scotia's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat National Bank of Canada's score of 0.27 indicating that Bank of Nova Scotia is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
National Bank of Canada
5 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
2 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Bank of Nova Scotia
8 Very Positive mention(s)
9 Positive mention(s)
9 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

National Bank of Canada has a net margin of 14.92% compared to Bank of Nova Scotia's net margin of 14.08%. National Bank of Canada's return on equity of 14.36% beat Bank of Nova Scotia's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
National Bank of Canada14.92% 14.36% 0.83%
Bank of Nova Scotia 14.08%11.41%0.55%

Summary

National Bank of Canada beats Bank of Nova Scotia on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding BNS and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of TSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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BNS vs. The Competition

MetricBank of Nova ScotiaBanks IndustryFinance SectorTSE Exchange
Market CapC$156.45BC$23.55BC$14.05BC$12.56B
Dividend Yield3.54%3.19%5.89%6.23%
P/E Ratio17.7027.3826.7438.31
Price / Sales3.979.40514.6810.23
Price / Cash0.2016.0438.3282.29
Price / Book1.731.362.194.76
Net IncomeC$7.73BC$2.58BC$1.31BC$299.09M
7 Day Performance6.46%-0.04%0.90%-0.56%
1 Month Performance4.27%0.76%2.48%4.73%
1 Year Performance49.66%22.94%10.76%29.84%

Bank of Nova Scotia Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
BNS
Bank of Nova Scotia
2.1746 of 5 stars
C$128.36
-0.4%
C$128.86
+0.4%
+49.7%C$156.45BC$39.39B17.7091,000
RY
Royal Bank of Canada
2.1335 of 5 stars
C$282.62
+0.1%
C$286.07
+1.2%
+42.4%C$392.75BC$69.51B18.3891,400
TD
Toronto-Dominion Bank
2.1901 of 5 stars
C$161.42
+0.1%
C$164.15
+1.7%
+63.5%C$266.67BC$63.78B18.9593,700
BMO
Bank of Montreal
3.6241 of 5 stars
C$238.63
-0.7%
C$249.00
+4.3%
+43.9%C$167.14BC$37.54B18.3346,700
CM
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
2.5873 of 5 stars
C$159.26
-0.7%
C$165.46
+3.9%
+50.0%C$145.37BC$31.06B15.8048,552

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This page (TSE:BNS) was last updated on 8/30/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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