BBVA vs. BNS: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria vs. Bank of Nova Scotia Stock Comparison
How do Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) are both classified in the Diversified Banks sub-industry within the broader Banks industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) trades as ordinary local shares, while Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | BBVA | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. Sponsored ADR | Bank of Nova Scotia |
| Country/Region | Spain | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Industry | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Diversified Banks | Diversified Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 137.77 billion USD | 111.75 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 15, 1988 | June 7, 2002 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | BBVA | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 33.97% | 44.24% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 54.49% | 35.89% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 39.16% | 12.57% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | BBVA | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 33.51% | 20.52% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.77 | 1.14 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -39.96% | -40.53% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.56M | 1.76M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | BBVA | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.89 | 1.95 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.30 | 2.99 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) at 19.84% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 11.46% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for BBVA.
BBVA
Banks industry group
19.84%
- BBVA
- 19.84%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 11.49%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
BNS
Banks industry group
11.46%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 11.49%
- BNS
- 11.46%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) at 32.62% and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 28.43% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
BBVA
Banks industry group
32.62%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- BBVA
- 32.62%
- Median
- 31.21%
- Q1
- 27.11%
- Min
- 14.93%
BNS
Banks industry group
28.43%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- Median
- 31.21%
- BNS
- 28.43%
- Q1
- 27.11%
- Min
- 14.93%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Neither side reports a meaningful operating margin: for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) in Banks and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks, funding costs are part of the core business, so net margin and ROE are the cleaner profitability reads.
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | BBVA | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 19.84% | 11.46% |
| ROA (TTM) | 1.37% | 0.68% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 32.62% | 28.43% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 10.36% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) at 0.46% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.
EPS Growth
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) at 4.76% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at -3.41% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | BBVA | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 0.46% | 10.36% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 11.99% | 5.59% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 4.76% | -3.41% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 21.55% | -10.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) in Banks and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks both report balance sheets without a current/non-current split, so their short-term liquidity is better judged through regulatory and funding measures.
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
debt-to-equity ratio is set aside for both: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) in Banks and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks run businesses where balance-sheet leverage is part of the model, so capital-adequacy and funding measures are the better gauges of balance-sheet risk.
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | BBVA | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) at 3.80% and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 4.84% offer top-quartile dividend income relative to share price within their industries.
BBVA
Banks industry group
3.80%
- Max
- 5.79%
- BBVA
- 3.80%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
BNS
Banks industry group
4.84%
- Max
- 5.79%
- BNS
- 4.84%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) at 47.61% and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 58.04% pay out an above-typical share of earnings for their industries, leaving thinner cover if profits dip.
BBVA
Banks industry group
47.61%
- Max
- 70.75%
- BBVA
- 47.61%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
BNS
Banks industry group
58.04%
- Max
- 70.75%
- BNS
- 58.04%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | BBVA | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.80% | 4.84% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 47.61% | 58.04% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) at 10.99 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 16.61 sits in the richer quartile — BNS needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
BBVA
Banks industry group
10.99
- Max
- 18.16
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 11.81
- BBVA
- 10.99
- Q1
- 10.64
- Min
- 6.49
BNS
Banks industry group
16.61
- Max
- 18.16
- BNS
- 16.61
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 11.81
- Q1
- 10.64
- Min
- 6.49
P/S Ratio (TTM)
P/S ratio is set aside for both Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) in Banks and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks: without a conventional revenue line, pricing per dollar of sales isn’t meaningful, and book- or earnings-based multiples make the better comparison.
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) at 2.12 and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 1.76 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper P/B ratio quartile of their industries.
BBVA
Banks industry group
2.12
- Max
- 2.28
- BBVA
- 2.12
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
BNS
Banks industry group
1.76
- Max
- 2.28
- BNS
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | BBVA | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 10.99 | 16.61 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | -- | -- |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 2.12 | 1.76 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | -- |