The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that Bank of Nova Scotia's acquisition binge is weighing on its share price amid concerns about the bank's ability to digest new assets valued at a whopping $7-billion. The Globe's David Berman writes that five deals in seven months mark the bank's most significant streak of takeovers in recent memory. In terms of dollar totals, the recent spending spree is equal to seven years worth of previous deals, which included the takeovers of ING in 2012 and DundeeWealth in 2010. Analysts concede that the current deals are consistent with Scotiabank's regional focus and interest in expanding its wealth management operations. However, the hefty prices paid, along with some concerns that deals are being struck when the economic cycle may be peaking, have driven some notable downgrades. RBC and National Bank both lowered their recommendations on the stock to "sector perform" from "outperform" and cut their target prices. These are just two killjoys compared with 10 upbeat analysts who recommend the stock as a "buy." If there are additional downgrades, investor sentiment is going to be challenged. Longer term, though, an underperforming bank stock should excite investors.