Bank of Montreal vs Bank of Nova Scotia — how do they compare? Bank of Montreal trades at $181.45 (market cap $126.83B), while Bank of Nova Scotia trades at $89.03 (market cap $108.32B). The key difference: Bank of Montreal is the larger of the two by market cap, and Bank of Nova Scotia pays the higher dividend (3.64%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BMO | BNS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $126.83B | $108.32B |
Sector | Financials | Financials |
52-Week High | $183.65 | $90.29 |
52-Week Low | $112.54 | $56.41 |
Dividend Yield | 2.69% | 3.64% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
BMO stock trades at $183.60, up 0.93% today, with a bullish technical signal and consistent earnings beats. The company shows strong profitability with a 25.92% net income margin and a P/E of 19.41. Recent news includes the sale of Moneris for $1.44 billion and new ETN launches, highlighting strategic initiatives.
Outlook is positive due to earnings momentum and dividend stability, but risks include high debt levels and interest rate sensitivity. Analysts are divided with a 'Hold' consensus, suggesting cautious optimism amid macroeconomic uncertainties.
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) trades at $90.34, up 2.01% with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages. The bank has delivered three consecutive earnings beats, with Q2 2026 EPS expected at $1.53. Recent acquisition of MapleMark Bank and dividend increase to $1.14 demonstrate strategic growth initiatives. Valuation metrics show P/E of 17.1 and P/B of 1.96, while maintaining strong profitability with 24.86% net income margin.
BNS presents a compelling investment case with strong fundamentals and analyst support (52.63% buy ratings), though revenue growth has been modest and interest expenses remain elevated. The stock faces risks from economic uncertainty and credit quality concerns, but dividend stability and improving ROE to 11.87% provide downside protection. Upside potential exists if the bank maintains earnings momentum.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Bank of Montreal is a diversified financial-services provider based in North America, operating four business segments: Canadian personal and commercial banking, U.S. P&C banking, wealth management, and capital markets. The bank's operations are primarily in Canada, with a material portion also in the U.S.
Read more on BMO →Bank of Nova Scotia is a global financial services provider. The bank has five business segments: Canadian banking, international banking, global wealth management, global banking and markets, and other. It offers a range of advice, products, and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. The bank's international operations span numerous countries and are more concentrated in Central and South America.
Read more on BNS →