About The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)
The Bank of Nova Scotia is a Banks - Diversified company operating in the Financial Services sector. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. BNS has been publicly traded since 1995, giving it 31+ years of trading history.
The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) has been publicly traded since 1995, making it a 31-year-old public company. It operates in the Banks - Diversified industry within the Financial Services sector. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and employs approximately 79,740 people. With a market capitalization of C$117 billion, BNS is a large established company.
BNS trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately C$117 billion. The company employs approximately 79,740 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- C$94.38
- Market Cap
- C$116.68B
- 52-Week High
- C$106.39
- 52-Week Low
- C$62.57
- Sector
- Financial Services
- Industry
- Banks - Diversified
BNS Investment Performance
BNS has declined 5.8% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a C$1,000 investment in BNS would have grown to C$1,589, representing a 58.9% total return. Since its IPO in 1995, a C$1,000 investment would now be worth C$50,235.
C$1,000 Invested in The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)
How much would C$1,000 invested in BNS be worth today?
What would C$1,000 invested in BNS 1 year ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in 2025 would be worth C$1,459 as of March 2026, representing a +45.9% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in BNS 3 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in 2023 would be worth C$1,658 as of March 2026, representing a +65.8% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in BNS 5 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in 2021 would be worth C$1,589 as of March 2026, representing a +58.9% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in BNS 10 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in 2016 would be worth C$2,495 as of March 2026, representing a +149.5% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in BNS at IPO be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at IPO would be worth C$50,235 as of March 2026, representing a +4923.5% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 31+ years (374 months), The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) has averaged a monthly return of +1.21% with a median return of +0.99%. The stock had 220 positive months (59%) and 153 negative months (41%). The best month in BNS's history was October 1998 with a +29.9% return, while the worst was August 1998 at -24.0%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.1%), and August the weakest (-0.4%).
BNS's longest winning streak was 11 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 7 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2009 with a cumulative return of +49.1%, and the worst was 2008 at -35.3%.
Annual Returns
Over 31 years of trading history, The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) has delivered an average annual return of +14.97% with a median return of +16.63%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +12.76%. The stock posted gains in 22 years (71%) and losses in 9 years (29%).
BNS's best year was 1996 with a +58.67% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -31.69%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 7, and the longest losing streak was 2 years. BNS achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 19 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 4 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -5.76% | C$100.15 | C$94.38 |
| 2025 | +38.75% | C$72.18 | C$100.15 |
| 2024 | +27.51% | C$56.61 | C$72.18 |
| 2023 | +3.68% | C$54.60 | C$56.61 |
| 2022 | -22.84% | C$70.76 | C$54.60 |
| 2021 | +37.98% | C$51.28 | C$70.76 |
| 2020 | -0.30% | C$51.44 | C$51.28 |
| 2019 | +11.80% | C$46.01 | C$51.44 |
| 2018 | -12.26% | C$52.44 | C$46.01 |
| 2017 | +12.80% | C$46.49 | C$52.44 |
| 2016 | +39.43% | C$33.34 | C$46.49 |
| 2015 | -10.77% | C$37.37 | C$33.34 |
| 2014 | +3.69% | C$36.03 | C$37.37 |
| 2013 | +19.29% | C$30.21 | C$36.03 |
| 2012 | +17.71% | C$25.66 | C$30.21 |
| 2011 | -7.55% | C$27.76 | C$25.66 |
| 2010 | +20.41% | C$23.05 | C$27.76 |
| 2009 | +57.14% | C$14.67 | C$23.05 |
| 2008 | -31.69% | C$21.47 | C$14.67 |
| 2007 | -0.13% | C$21.50 | C$21.47 |
| 2006 | +16.63% | C$18.44 | C$21.50 |
| 2005 | +17.04% | C$15.75 | C$18.44 |
| 2004 | +26.60% | C$12.44 | C$15.75 |
| 2003 | +28.68% | C$9.67 | C$12.44 |
| 2002 | +10.06% | C$8.79 | C$9.67 |
| 2001 | +16.66% | C$7.53 | C$8.79 |
| 2000 | +43.06% | C$5.26 | C$7.53 |
| 1999 | -5.97% | C$5.60 | C$5.26 |
| 1998 | +2.80% | C$5.45 | C$5.60 |
| 1997 | +50.83% | C$3.61 | C$5.45 |
| 1996 | +58.67% | C$2.28 | C$3.61 |
BNS Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating The Bank of Nova Scotia as an investment
Valuation
BNS currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 14.0, which is considered low relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 10.3 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 1.3. The price-to-sales ratio is 3.5.
Dividends
The Bank of Nova Scotia pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 4.66%. This translates to C$4.40 per share annually. The payout ratio of 65% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
BNS has a beta of 1.19, indicating it is slightly more volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is C$62.57 to C$106.39, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 14 analyst opinions, BNS has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of C$107.14 suggests 13.5% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: BNS
What sector is BNS in? ▼
BNS operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically in the Banks - Diversified industry. This sector includes banks, insurance companies, asset managers, and fintech companies.
How has BNS performed historically? ▼
Over 31 years of trading history, BNS has posted gains in 22 years (71% of the time). The best year was 1996 with a +58.7% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in BNS? ▼
You can invest in BNS through any brokerage account that offers access to the Toronto Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold BNS.
Does BNS pay dividends? ▼
The Bank of Nova Scotia pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 4.66%. This translates to C$4.40 per share annually. The payout ratio of 65% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
What does The Bank of Nova Scotia do? ▼
The Bank of Nova Scotia is a Banks - Diversified company operating in the Financial Services sector. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
What sector is BNS in? ▼
BNS operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically in the Banks - Diversified industry.
When did BNS go public? ▼
The Bank of Nova Scotia went public in 1995, making it a 31-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would C$1,000 invested in BNS 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A C$1,000 investment in BNS five years ago would be worth approximately C$1,589 today, representing a 58.9% return.
How much would C$1,000 invested in BNS 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A C$1,000 investment in BNS ten years ago would be worth approximately C$2,495 today, representing a 149.5% total return over the decade.
What is BNS's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, BNS has returned 65.8%. A C$1,000 investment would have grown to C$1,658.
How much would C$1,000 invested in BNS at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested C$1,000 in BNS at its IPO in 1995, it would be worth approximately C$50,235 today, a 4,923.5% return over 31 years.
Does BNS pay dividends? ▼
Yes, The Bank of Nova Scotia pays a dividend with a current yield of 4.66%, which is C$4.4 per share annually.
What is BNS's market cap? ▼
The Bank of Nova Scotia has a market capitalization of C$117 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is BNS's P/E ratio? ▼
BNS has a trailing P/E ratio of 14.0 and a forward P/E of 10.3, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is BNS a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 14 opinions, BNS has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is C$107.14.
Last updated: 3/15/2026