Bank of Nova Scotia ... the Canadian lender missed fourth-quarter profit estimates as uncertain economic climate prompted it to set aside more funds to guard against bad loans. Scotiabank kicks off Canadian banks' earning season, wrapping up a financial year marked with economic uncertainty, rising credit loss provisions as more consumers struggle to pay off their mortgages, layoffs to cut costs, and rising expenses. The bank's shares fell nearly 5% in early trading, dragging down Canada's main stock index (.GSPTSE). Lenders have been bracing for a surge in loan defaults as effects of the central bank's monetary policy tightening flow...