BNS vs. EWBC: Bank of Nova Scotia vs. East West Bancorp Stock Comparison
How do Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and East West Bancorp (EWBC) 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
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and East West Bancorp (EWBC) both belong to the Banks industry, though BNS is classified under Diversified Banks while EWBC falls under Regional Banks.
| Profile Item | BNS | EWBC |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Bank of Nova Scotia | East West Bancorp Inc. |
| Country/Region | Canada | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Industry | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Diversified Banks | Regional Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 111.75 billion USD | 17.65 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | June 7, 2002 | February 3, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | BNS | EWBC |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 44.24% | 30.57% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 35.89% | 36.90% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 12.57% | 12.56% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | BNS | EWBC |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 20.52% | 23.01% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.14 | 0.98 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -40.53% | -54.06% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.76M | 807.94K |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | BNS | EWBC |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.95 | 1.14 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 2.99 | 1.69 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
East West Bancorp (EWBC) at 16.57% 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 EWBC.
BNS
Banks industry group
11.46%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 11.49%
- BNS
- 11.46%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
EWBC
Banks industry group
16.57%
- Max
- 19.84%
- EWBC
- 16.57%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 11.49%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
Net Margin (TTM)
East West Bancorp (EWBC) at 50.06% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 28.43% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.
BNS
Banks industry group
28.43%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- Median
- 31.21%
- BNS
- 28.43%
- Q1
- 27.11%
- Min
- 14.93%
EWBC
Banks industry group
50.06%
- EWBC
- 50.06%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- Median
- 31.21%
- Q1
- 27.11%
- Min
- 14.93%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Neither side reports a meaningful operating margin: for Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks and East West Bancorp (EWBC) in Banks, funding costs are part of the core business, so net margin and ROE are the cleaner profitability reads.
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | BNS | EWBC |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 11.46% | 16.57% |
| ROA (TTM) | 0.68% | 1.76% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 28.43% | 50.06% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 10.36% and East West Bancorp (EWBC) at 12.86% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
East West Bancorp (EWBC) at 14.29% 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 | BNS | EWBC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 10.36% | 12.86% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.59% | 7.70% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -3.41% | 14.29% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -10.92% | 6.33% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks and East West Bancorp (EWBC) 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: Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks and East West Bancorp (EWBC) 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 | BNS | EWBC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 4.84% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while East West Bancorp (EWBC) at 2.32% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, BNS the richer one.
BNS
Banks industry group
4.84%
- Max
- 5.79%
- BNS
- 4.84%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
EWBC
Banks industry group
2.32%
- Max
- 5.79%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- EWBC
- 2.32%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
East West Bancorp (EWBC) at 28.52% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 58.04% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.
BNS
Banks industry group
58.04%
- Max
- 70.75%
- BNS
- 58.04%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
EWBC
Banks industry group
28.52%
- Max
- 70.75%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- EWBC
- 28.52%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | BNS | EWBC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 4.84% | 2.32% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 58.04% | 28.52% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
East West Bancorp (EWBC) at 12.25 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.
BNS
Banks industry group
16.61
- Max
- 18.16
- BNS
- 16.61
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 11.81
- Q1
- 10.64
- Min
- 6.49
EWBC
Banks industry group
12.25
- Max
- 18.16
- Q3
- 13.75
- EWBC
- 12.25
- Median
- 11.81
- Q1
- 10.64
- Min
- 6.49
P/S Ratio (TTM)
P/S ratio is set aside for both Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks and East West Bancorp (EWBC) 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 Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 1.76 and East West Bancorp (EWBC) at 1.95 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper P/B ratio quartile of their industries.
BNS
Banks industry group
1.76
- Max
- 2.28
- BNS
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
EWBC
Banks industry group
1.95
- Max
- 2.28
- EWBC
- 1.95
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | BNS | EWBC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 16.61 | 12.25 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | -- | -- |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 1.76 | 1.95 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | -- |