Scotiabank Posts Higher Q1 Profit, Lifts Dividend

Bank of Nova Scotia BNS reported a 6% gain in its first-quarter profit. Scotiabank's quarterly net income surged to C$1.71 billion, or C$1.32 per share, from C$1.61 billion, or C$1.24 per share, in the year-ago period. Scotiabank also raised its quarterly dividend by 3.2% to 64 Canadian cents per share. Scotiabank shares closed at $56.87 yesterday.