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BCS vs. BNS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at BCS and BNS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

BCS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, BNS is a standard domestic listing.

SymbolBCSBNS
Company NameBarclays PLCThe Bank of Nova Scotia
CountryUnited KingdomCanada
GICS SectorFinancialsFinancials
GICS IndustryBanksBanks
Market Capitalization71.96 billion USD80.25 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateSeptember 9, 1986June 7, 2002
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BCS and BNS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

BCS vs. BNS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolBCSBNS
5-Day Price Return-1.42%1.01%
13-Week Price Return15.13%19.73%
26-Week Price Return22.75%29.28%
52-Week Price Return72.39%22.12%
Month-to-Date Return5.33%4.92%
Year-to-Date Return41.56%16.58%
10-Day Avg. Volume25.97M5.21M
3-Month Avg. Volume21.18M4.60M
3-Month Volatility21.99%15.18%
Beta0.180.78

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BCS

12.12%

Banks Industry

Max
25.40%
Q3
15.55%
Median
12.00%
Q1
8.98%
Min
-0.10%

BCS’s Return on Equity of 12.12% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

BNS

8.59%

Banks Industry

Max
25.40%
Q3
15.55%
Median
12.00%
Q1
8.98%
Min
-0.10%

BNS’s Return on Equity of 8.59% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BCS

--

Banks Industry

Max
54.20%
Q3
35.73%
Median
28.97%
Q1
22.56%
Min
6.98%

Net Profit Margin data for BCS is currently unavailable.

BNS

26.04%

Banks Industry

Max
54.20%
Q3
35.73%
Median
28.97%
Q1
22.56%
Min
6.98%

BNS’s Net Profit Margin of 26.04% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Banks industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BCS

--

Banks Industry

Max
63.35%
Q3
44.73%
Median
37.24%
Q1
28.25%
Min
12.28%

Operating Profit Margin data for BCS is currently unavailable.

BNS

34.15%

Banks Industry

Max
63.35%
Q3
44.73%
Median
37.24%
Q1
28.25%
Min
12.28%

BNS’s Operating Profit Margin of 34.15% is around the midpoint for the Banks industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolBCSBNS
Return on Equity (TTM)12.12%8.59%
Return on Assets (TTM)0.57%0.51%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)--26.04%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)--34.15%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)----

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BCS

--

Banks Industry

Max
--
Q3
--
Median
--
Q1
--
Min
--

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

BNS

--

Banks Industry

Max
--
Q3
--
Median
--
Q1
--
Min
--

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BCS

3.86

Banks Industry

Max
5.78
Q3
2.66
Median
1.05
Q1
0.40
Min
0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

BNS

2.68

Banks Industry

Max
5.78
Q3
2.66
Median
1.05
Q1
0.40
Min
0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BCS

--

Banks Industry

Max
--
Q3
--
Median
--
Q1
--
Min
--

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

BNS

--

Banks Industry

Max
--
Q3
--
Median
--
Q1
--
Min
--

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolBCSBNS
Current Ratio (MRQ)----
Quick Ratio (MRQ)----
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)3.862.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)----

Growth

Revenue Growth

BCS vs. BNS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

BCS vs. BNS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BCS

0.00%

Banks Industry

Max
11.03%
Q3
6.00%
Median
3.87%
Q1
2.41%
Min
0.00%

BCS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

BNS

5.22%

Banks Industry

Max
11.03%
Q3
6.00%
Median
3.87%
Q1
2.41%
Min
0.00%

BNS’s Dividend Yield of 5.22% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BCS

22.39%

Banks Industry

Max
134.24%
Q3
79.39%
Median
55.09%
Q1
36.09%
Min
0.00%

BCS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.39% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

BNS

80.87%

Banks Industry

Max
134.24%
Q3
79.39%
Median
55.09%
Q1
36.09%
Min
0.00%

BNS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 80.87% is in the upper quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolBCSBNS
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%5.22%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)22.39%80.87%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BCS

6.00

Banks Industry

Max
22.69
Q3
13.75
Median
10.32
Q1
7.73
Min
2.59

In the lower quartile for the Banks industry, BCS’s P/E Ratio of 6.00 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

BNS

15.50

Banks Industry

Max
22.69
Q3
13.75
Median
10.32
Q1
7.73
Min
2.59

A P/E Ratio of 15.50 places BNS in the upper quartile for the Banks industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BCS

--

Banks Industry

Max
4.90
Q3
2.98
Median
2.24
Q1
1.59
Min
0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

BNS

2.29

Banks Industry

Max
4.90
Q3
2.98
Median
2.24
Q1
1.59
Min
0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BCS

0.63

Banks Industry

Max
2.09
Q3
1.40
Median
1.11
Q1
0.86
Min
0.29

BCS’s P/B Ratio of 0.63 is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

BNS

1.14

Banks Industry

Max
2.09
Q3
1.40
Median
1.11
Q1
0.86
Min
0.29

BNS’s P/B Ratio of 1.14 is within the conventional range for the Banks industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

BCS vs. BNS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Banks industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolBCSBNS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)6.0015.50
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)--2.29
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)0.631.14
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)2.616.05