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Stock: Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)

Quick Take: A classic Canadian bank trading below recent highs, offering a solid 4.6% dividend yield and reasonable valuation. Short-term weakness and cautious analyst sentiment create a potential entry point for long-term income investors.

Major Developments (This Week & Near-Term)

  • Market pullback: Shares are down ~0.8% over the past week, continuing a broader short-term decline (−10.1% over 1 month).

  • Dividend timing: Upcoming ex-dividend date on April 7, 2026, reinforcing its income appeal.

  • Earnings ahead: Next results expected May 27, 2026 — focus will be on international banking performance and margin trends.

Key Metrics (as of latest close)

Metric

Value

Price

$95.03

Weekly Move (5-day)

−0.8%

Market Cap

$85.3B

P/E Ratio

14.1

Forward P/E

10.4

52-Week Range

$62.57 – $106.39

YTD Return

−5.1%

Dividend Yield

4.6%

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Analyst Insights

Item

Detail

Consensus Rating

HOLD ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Average Target Price

$107.73

Upside Potential

+13.36%

Breakdown (11 Analysts)

Strong Buy: 0 • Buy: 1 • Hold: 10 • Sell: 0 • Strong Sell: 0

Takeaway:
Analysts are cautious overall, but the double-digit upside + strong valuation (Value Score: 95) suggests the stock is more “undervalued income play” than growth story.

Recent / Notable News

  • Earnings focus: Investors are watching upcoming results for loan growth, margins, and Latin America exposure.

  • International exposure: Continued emphasis on Scotiabank’s Latin American operations, which remain both a growth driver and risk factor.

  • Recent pullback: The stock’s recent decline has drawn attention as a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors.

Growth Indicators

Metric

BNS

Sales Growth (Next Year)

+4.6%

EPS Growth (Next Year)

+11.9%

5-Year EPS Growth Estimate

+6.8%

Interpretation:
Growth is steady but not explosive — typical of large banks. The story here is income + stability, not high growth.

Profitability & Financials (Quick Read)

  • Margins: Operating margin 44.8%, Net margin 23.7% — strong for banking

  • Valuation: Trading at 10.4x forward earnings → attractive vs market

  • Dividend: ~4.6% yield with ~64% payout ratio → sustainable

  • Balance Sheet: Higher leverage (D/E 3.7) — normal for banks

Technical & Momentum

  • RSI: 30.1 → near oversold ⚠️ (possible bounce zone)

  • Price vs 52-week high: ~89% → still below peak

  • Beta (1-yr): 0.37 → low volatility vs market

What to Watch Next

  • May 27 earnings: Loan growth, margins, and credit quality

  • Dividend sustainability: Continued annual increases

  • Macro trends: Interest rates + global banking conditions

  • Latin America exposure: Key driver of long-term upside

One-Look Summary

Aspect

Snapshot

Thesis

Undervalued Canadian bank with strong dividend and global exposure

Catalysts

Earnings growth, dividend stability, rate environment

Risks

International exposure, slower growth, macro pressures

Who it’s for

Dividend investors seeking stable income + moderate upside

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The Wealth Awesome Team

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