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Scotia Bank (BNS) Q3 Earnings Disappoint, Provisions Escalate

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The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS - Free Report) reported third-quarter fiscal 2020 (ended Jul 31) adjusted net income of C$1.3 billion ($950 million), down 47% year over year. Results excluded certain one-time items.

Escalating provisions and a decline in revenues were on the downside. However, lower expenses along with strong capital and profitability ratios were driving factors.

Revenues Rise, Expenses Fall

Total revenues were C$7.7 billion ($5.6 billion) in the quarter, up nearly 1% year over year. The upswing stemmed from a rise in non-interest income.

Net interest income was C$4.3 billion ($3.1 billion), down 2.8% from the prior-year quarter. Non-interest income climbed 6% from the year-ago quarter to C$3.5 billion ($2.6 billion).

Adjusted non-interest expenses were C$4 billion ($2.9 billion), down 4.1% year over year.

Adjusted provision for credit losses more than doubled to C$2.2 billion ($1.6 billion) on a year-over-year basis on the coronavirus crisis.

Strong Balance Sheet

As of Jul 31, 2020, Scotia Bank’s total assets were C$1.17 trillion ($0.86 trillion), down 6.2% from the prior quarter. Deposits came in at C$768 billion ($561 billion), down 3.7% sequentially. Total loans were C$620.6 billion ($453.6 billion), down 1.7% year over year. Assets under administration were up 2.2% from the year-ago quarter to C$503 billion ($367.6 billion).

Healthy Capital and Profitability Ratios

As of Jul 31, 2020, Common Equity Tier 1 ratio was 11.3% compared with 11.2% as of Jul 31, 2019. Further, total capital ratio was 14.9% compared with the prior-year figure of 14.8%.

Return on equity for the reported quarter was 8.3% compared with the year-earlier quarter’s 11.5%.

Our Viewpoint

A diversified product mix and strong capital position will help Scotia Bank grow organically as well as through acquisitions. Though mounting expenses and the coronavirus pandemic’s impact are concerning, the export-driven economy of Canada will likely benefit from the anticipated recovery of the U.S. economy, in turn, aiding the company’s sustainable growth over the long run.

Scotia Bank currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance & Earnings Release Dates for Other Canadian Banks

Bank of Montreal’s (BMO - Free Report) third-quarter fiscal 2020 (ended Jul 31) adjusted net income was C$1.26 billion ($921 million), down 20.4% year over year.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM - Free Report) and The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD - Free Report) will announce results on Aug 27.

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