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

Updated on October 5, 2025

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

Company Profile

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

Symbol	BNS	NMR
Company Name	The Bank of Nova Scotia	Nomura Holdings, Inc.
Country	Canada	Japan
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Banks	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	81.22 billion USD	21.09 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 7, 2002	December 17, 2001
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BNS and NMR 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BNS	NMR
5-Day Price Return	1.25%	-2.74%
13-Week Price Return	21.19%	11.75%
26-Week Price Return	32.93%	3.82%
52-Week Price Return	26.54%	23.08%
Month-to-Date Return	0.98%	-3.55%
Year-to-Date Return	17.72%	12.42%
10-Day Avg. Volume	5.91M	10.66M
3-Month Avg. Volume	4.69M	10.56M
3-Month Volatility	15.22%	22.09%
Beta	0.78	1.54

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

NMR

10.90%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

NMR’s Return on Equity of 10.90% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

NMR

8.05%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, NMR’s Net Profit Margin of 8.05% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

NMR

11.32%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

NMR’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.32% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BNS	NMR
Return on Equity (TTM)	8.59%	10.90%
Return on Assets (TTM)	0.51%	0.65%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	26.04%	8.05%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	34.15%	11.32%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	41.95%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

NMR

0.26

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

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

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

NMR

10.28

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

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

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

NMR

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

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

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BNS	NMR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	--	0.26
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	--	0.26
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.68	10.28
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	--	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

BNS vs. NMR: 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

BNS vs. NMR: 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)

BNS

5.17%

Banks Industry

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

BNS’s Dividend Yield of 5.17% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NMR

3.66%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

NMR’s Dividend Yield of 3.66% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

NMR

66.06%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

NMR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 66.06% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BNS	NMR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	5.17%	3.66%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	80.87%	66.06%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BNS

15.65

Banks Industry

Max: 22.69
Q3: 13.75
Median: 10.32
Q1: 7.73
Min: 2.59

A P/E Ratio of 15.65 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.

NMR

8.16

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, NMR’s P/E Ratio of 8.16 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

NMR

0.66

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, NMR’s P/S Ratio of 0.66 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

BNS vs. NMR: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

NMR

0.87

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

NMR’s P/B Ratio of 0.87 is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets 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 vs. NMR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BNS	NMR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	15.65	8.16
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.29	0.66
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.14	0.87
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	6.11	3.22