BNS vs. TFC: Bank of Nova Scotia vs. Truist Financial Stock Comparison
How do Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and Truist Financial (TFC) 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 Truist Financial (TFC) both belong to the Banks industry, though BNS is classified under Diversified Banks while TFC falls under Regional Banks.
| Profile Item | BNS | TFC |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Bank of Nova Scotia | Truist Financial Corporation |
| 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 | 59.18 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 7, 2002 | March 18, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | BNS | TFC |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 44.24% | 18.58% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 35.89% | 25.74% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 12.57% | -0.01% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | BNS | TFC |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 20.52% | 23.91% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.14 | 0.88 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -40.53% | -59.11% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.76M | 7.35M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | BNS | TFC |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.95 | 0.60 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 2.99 | 0.83 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 11.46% is around its peer norm for ROE, while Truist Financial (TFC) at 8.16% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker returns on shareholders’ equity.
BNS
Banks industry group
11.46%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 11.49%
- BNS
- 11.46%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- Min
- 3.64%
TFC
Banks industry group
8.16%
- Max
- 19.84%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 11.49%
- Q1
- 9.50%
- TFC
- 8.16%
- Min
- 3.64%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 28.43% and Truist Financial (TFC) at 28.38% 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%
TFC
Banks industry group
28.38%
- Max
- 47.19%
- Q3
- 35.25%
- Median
- 31.21%
- TFC
- 28.38%
- 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 Truist Financial (TFC) in Banks, funding costs are part of the core business, so net margin and ROE are the cleaner profitability reads.
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | BNS | TFC |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 11.46% | 8.16% |
| ROA (TTM) | 0.68% | 0.95% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 28.43% | 28.38% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Truist Financial (TFC) at 53.03% clears its industry range for revenue growth, far stronger top-line momentum than Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 10.36%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.
EPS Growth
Truist Financial (TFC) at 13.69% 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 | TFC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 10.36% | 53.03% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.59% | 0.57% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -3.41% | 13.69% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -10.92% | -4.82% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Banks and Truist Financial (TFC) 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 Truist Financial (TFC) 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 | TFC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 4.84% and Truist Financial (TFC) at 4.17% offer top-quartile dividend income relative to share price within their industries.
BNS
Banks industry group
4.84%
- Max
- 5.79%
- BNS
- 4.84%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
TFC
Banks industry group
4.17%
- Max
- 5.79%
- TFC
- 4.17%
- Q3
- 3.18%
- Median
- 2.39%
- Q1
- 1.20%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 58.04% and Truist Financial (TFC) at 53.61% pay out an above-typical share of earnings for their industries, leaving thinner cover if profits dip.
BNS
Banks industry group
58.04%
- Max
- 70.75%
- BNS
- 58.04%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
TFC
Banks industry group
53.61%
- Max
- 70.75%
- TFC
- 53.61%
- Q3
- 41.28%
- Median
- 29.26%
- Q1
- 18.98%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | BNS | TFC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 4.84% | 4.17% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 58.04% | 53.61% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Truist Financial (TFC) at 12.73 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
TFC
Banks industry group
12.73
- Max
- 18.16
- Q3
- 13.75
- TFC
- 12.73
- 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 Truist Financial (TFC) 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)
Truist Financial (TFC) at 1.06 looks cheap against book in the lower P/B ratio quartile, while Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) at 1.76 carries a premium in the upper quartile — a clear price-to-book gap.
BNS
Banks industry group
1.76
- Max
- 2.28
- BNS
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.59
TFC
Banks industry group
1.06
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 1.10
- TFC
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | BNS | TFC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 16.61 | 12.73 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | -- | -- |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 1.76 | 1.06 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | -- |