Should You Buy Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.
Analysis Updated At
2026/01/28
BUY for a beginner long-term investor deploying $50k–$100k. BNS is in a confirmed uptrend (bullish moving averages and improving MACD) and fundamentals improved sharply in 2025/Q4 (EPS +36% YoY, net income +38% YoY, revenue +13% YoY). Wall Street has recently raised targets and multiple firms reiterate/hold Buy-type views, suggesting improving confidence. Near-term, the stock is slightly extended (RSI ~71 and price near resistance ~76), but for an impatient long-term investor, it is still a good buy right now rather than waiting for a perfect dip.
Technical Analysis
Trend is bullish. SMA structure is positive (SMA_5 > SMA_20 > SMA_200), indicating short-, medium-, and long-term momentum aligned upward. MACD histogram is positive (0.162) and expanding, confirming strengthening upside momentum. RSI_6 is 70.827, which is elevated and signals the stock is somewhat stretched in the short term (higher odds of consolidation/pullback than a straight-line rise). Key levels: Pivot 74.375 as an important near-term reference; support at 72.767 (S1) then 71.773 (S2). Resistance at 75.983 (R1) then 76.977 (R2). With price ~75.35, it is below R1 but close enough that near-term upside may be capped unless it cleanly breaks above ~76.
Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends
Recent analyst trend is constructive: multiple price target increases in late Nov–early Dec 2025 (RBC, BofA, TD, Canaccord, Desjardins, Barclays, UBS) and a Raymond James initiation at Outperform. Ratings mix: several Buys/Outperform (TD, Canaccord, UBS, Raymond James) alongside more cautious Neutral/Hold/Equal Weight (BofA Neutral, RBC Sector Perform, Desjardins Hold, Barclays Equal Weight). Wall Street ‘pros’ view: PROS—improving results/ROE outlook and potential multiple expansion from a still-lagging valuation vs peers. CONS—some view returns as lower and risk premia higher (hence below-peer valuation justification), keeping a portion of the street at neutral/hold.
Wall Street analysts forecast BNS stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BNS is 72.63 USD with a low forecast of 66.95 USD and a high forecast of 77.74 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
Wall Street analysts forecast BNS stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BNS is 72.63 USD with a low forecast of 66.95 USD and a high forecast of 77.74 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
Current: 75.260
Current: 75.260
