National Bank Financial Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS) Stock Price

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS) (NYSE:BNS) had its target price cut by research analysts at National Bank Financial from C$102.00 to C$100.00 in a report issued on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has a “sector perform” rating on the bank’s stock. National Bank Financial’s target price suggests a potential downside of 3.17% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on BNS. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price objective on Bank of Nova Scotia from C$106.00 to C$112.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from C$104.00 to C$112.00 in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from C$97.00 to C$104.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Raymond James Financial boosted their target price on Bank of Nova Scotia from C$114.00 to C$117.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Bank of Nova Scotia from C$97.00 to C$106.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of C$107.42.

Bank of Nova Scotia Price Performance

Shares of BNS traded down C$0.05 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching C$103.27. The stock had a trading volume of 1,867,298 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,335,239. Bank of Nova Scotia has a 52-week low of C$62.57 and a 52-week high of C$106.39. The firm has a market cap of C$127.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.33. The business’s fifty day moving average is C$102.24 and its 200 day moving average is C$94.51.

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS) (NYSE:BNS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 2nd. The bank reported C$1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia had a net margin of 17.68% and a return on equity of 9.64%. The business had revenue of C$9.77 billion during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Bank of Nova Scotia will post 7.1286267 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of Nova Scotia

In related news, insider Julie Walsh sold 3,716 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$100.62, for a total value of C$373,903.92. Following the sale, the insider owned 1,430 shares of the company’s stock, valued at C$143,886.60. This trade represents a 72.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Bank of Nova Scotia

Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of Nova Scotia this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results showed broad-based earnings growth — Scotiabank reported roughly C$2.3B in net income with double‑digit adjusted EPS growth, driven by strength across domestic and international businesses; management emphasized capital management and continued tech/AI investment. Scotiabank reports first quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: RBC Capital Markets raised its price target on BNS to C$106 (from C$97), signaling increased analyst confidence after the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia Price Target Raised to $106 at RBC
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen (Mario Mendonca) maintained a Buy rating with a C$112 price target, citing medium‑term EPS growth potential and capital strength despite mixed near‑term loan trends. Buy Rating on Bank of Nova Scotia Backed by Medium-Term EPS Growth and Capital Strength Despite Mixed Near-Term Loan Trends
• Positive Sentiment: Board declared a dividend payable April 28, 2026 (record April 7) — supports income investor interest and signals confidence in capital position. Scotiabank Announces Dividend on Outstanding Shares
• Positive Sentiment: Management reassured investors that Mexican operations remain stable with no material impact from local violence — reduces a key geopolitical/operational risk. Scotiabank says Mexico operations stable, no impact from violence
• Neutral Sentiment: Momentum/analyst commentary pieces highlight recent share‑price strength and investor interest; useful context but not new company-specific catalysts. What Makes Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) a Strong Momentum Stock: Buy Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: Pre-earnings coverage noted consumer stress trends heading into results — background macro risk to monitor but largely priced into recent guidance/quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia earnings on deck amid consumer stress
• Negative Sentiment: Some coverage flagged that revenues were down and provisions for credit losses (PCLs) edged up even as EPS beat — mixed quality of the quarter could limit upside if revenue trends persist. Scotiabank Lodges Big Q1 Earnings Beat, But Revs Lower and PCLs Edged Up

About Bank of Nova Scotia

Bank of Nova Scotia is a global financial services provider. The bank has five business segments: Canadian banking, international banking, global wealth management, global banking and markets, and other. It offers a range of advice, products, and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. The bank’s international operations span numerous countries and are more concentrated in Central and South America.