Scotiabank earnings beat view, says acquisitions possible

By Matt Scuffham TORONTO (Reuters) - Bank of Nova Scotia, Canada's third-biggest lender, reported a better-than-expected rise in fourth-quarter earnings and said it could utilize its capital strength to make acquisitions. Scotiabank said on Tuesday its earnings per share increased to C$1.58 from C$1.46 in the same period the previous year. Analysts had on average forecast earnings of C$1.51, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. The company's stock rose as much as 2 percent to $73.98, a more tha