Bank of Montreal vs Bank of Nova Scotia — how do they compare? Bank of Montreal trades at $180.98 (market cap $125.53B), while Bank of Nova Scotia trades at $89.04 (market cap $108.17B). The key difference: Bank of Montreal is the larger of the two by market cap, and Bank of Nova Scotia pays the higher dividend (3.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BMO | BNS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $125.53B | $108.17B |
Sector | Financials | Financials |
52-Week High | $180.86 | $88.99 |
52-Week Low | $110.44 | $54.50 |
Dividend Yield | 2.74% | 3.61% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
BMO trades at $178.69, down 0.15% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and key resistance at $180. The company reported strong Q1 2026 earnings of $2.68 per share, beating estimates, and maintains a solid net income margin of 25.92%. Recent acquisitions and dividend increases highlight strategic growth, while analyst sentiment is balanced with 44% buy ratings.
Outlook remains positive driven by consistent earnings beats and expansion in metals & mining banking. Risks include valuation above historical norms with a P/E of 19.48 and exposure to interest rate sensitivity. The stock offers a compelling dividend yield but faces macroeconomic headwinds that could pressure future performance.
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) trades at $88.00, up 0.47% with strong technical momentum and bullish moving averages. The company demonstrates solid fundamentals with Q2 2026 earnings beating expectations, revenue growth to $37.1B, and a healthy 24.86% net income margin. Recent acquisition of MapleMark Bank supports strategic growth initiatives while the dividend increase to $1.14 signals management confidence.
BNS presents a compelling investment case with consistent earnings beats, attractive dividend yield, and strategic expansion. However, elevated valuation multiples and macroeconomic sensitivity in the banking sector warrant caution. Analyst consensus remains positive with 53% buy ratings, though the stock trades near resistance levels requiring careful entry timing.
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 →