BNS vs. MFG: Bank of Nova Scotia vs. Mizuho Financial Stock Comparison
How do Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and Mizuho Financial (MFG) 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 Mizuho Financial (MFG) 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 Mizuho Financial (MFG) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | BNS | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Bank of Nova Scotia | Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. American Depositary Receipts |
| Country/Region | Canada | Japan |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Industry | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Diversified Banks | Diversified Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 111.75 billion USD | 113.48 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 7, 2002 | November 8, 2006 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | BNS | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 44.24% | 46.98% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 35.89% | 47.92% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 12.57% | 30.77% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | BNS | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 20.52% | 33.78% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.14 | 0.58 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -40.53% | -28.34% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.76M | 3.45M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | BNS | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.95 | 1.26 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 2.99 | 1.92 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 11.46% and Mizuho Financial (MFG) at 12.49% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
BNS
Banks industry group
11.46%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 11.49%
- BNS
- 11.46%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
MFG
Banks industry group
12.49%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- MFG
- 12.49%
- Median
- 11.49%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 28.43% and Mizuho Financial (MFG) at 29.14% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
BNS
Banks industry group
28.43%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- Median
- 31.21%
- BNS
- 28.43%
- Q1
- 27.11%
- Min
- 14.93%
MFG
Banks industry group
29.14%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- Median
- 31.21%
- MFG
- 29.14%
- 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 Mizuho Financial (MFG) in Banks, funding costs are part of the core business, so net margin and ROE are the cleaner profitability reads.
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | BNS | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 11.46% | 12.49% |
| ROA (TTM) | 0.68% | 0.48% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 28.43% | 29.14% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 10.36% and Mizuho Financial (MFG) at 15.82% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Mizuho Financial (MFG) at 43.61% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at -3.41% is in the bottom quartile, showing a clear gap in earnings momentum.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | BNS | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 10.36% | 15.82% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.59% | 16.50% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -3.41% | 43.61% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -10.92% | 31.89% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks and Mizuho Financial (MFG) 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 Mizuho Financial (MFG) 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 | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 4.84% earns its spot in the top quartile of its industry’s yields; Mizuho Financial (MFG) at 1,544.20% is past the top of its own peer range — territory where a dividend-safety check matters more than the headline number.
BNS
Banks industry group
4.84%
- Max
- 5.79%
- BNS
- 4.84%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
MFG
Banks industry group
1,544.20%
- MFG
- 1,544.20%
- Max
- 5.79%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Mizuho Financial (MFG) at 24.88% 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%
MFG
Banks industry group
24.88%
- Max
- 70.75%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- MFG
- 24.88%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | BNS | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 4.84% | 1,544.20% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 58.04% | 24.88% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Mizuho Financial (MFG) at 12.88 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
MFG
Banks industry group
12.88
- Max
- 18.16
- Q3
- 13.75
- MFG
- 12.88
- 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 Mizuho Financial (MFG) 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)
Mizuho Financial (MFG) at 1.57 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 1.76 carries an above-peer premium to book — BNS is pricier on assets.
BNS
Banks industry group
1.76
- Max
- 2.28
- BNS
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
MFG
Banks industry group
1.57
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.58
- MFG
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | BNS | MFG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 16.61 | 12.88 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | -- | -- |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 1.76 | 1.57 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | -- |