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Investing.com -- NatWest Group PLC (LON:NWG) returned to profit in the first quarter of 2025, posting £59 million in earnings as income rose across all major business lines and costs declined, as reported on Friday.
Total (EPA:TTEF) income rose to £394 million in the three months ended March 31, up from £303 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the company’s financial highlights.
The increase was driven by higher revenue in fixed income, currencies and capital markets, along with the recycling of foreign exchange reserves in the prior period.
Income was partly offset by a lower contribution from the profit-sharing arrangement with other NatWest Group subsidiaries.
By segment, capital markets generated £181 million in income, up from £164 million in the previous quarter.
Currency income rose to £158 million from £146 million, and fixed income increased to £64 million from £20 million.
Income from the capital management unit and other items contributed £13 million, compared with a loss of £11 million a quarter earlier.
Operating expenses fell to £323 million from £362 million. This included £32 million in litigation and conduct costs, down from £41 million in the prior quarter, reflecting progress on legacy matters and related remediation.
Other operating expenses, which exclude litigation and conduct items, were £291 million, compared with £321 million, mainly due to the annual bank levy recorded in the fourth quarter, partly offset by higher staff costs.
The bank’s capital position remained strong. The common equity Tier 1 capital ratio stood at 17.2%, exceeding the company’s medium-term target of around 14%.
The minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities ratio was 46.7%, above the 30% medium-term target.
The leverage ratio was 5.4%, also ahead of its 4% medium-term benchmark. Risk-weighted assets increased to £21.7 billion from £20.8 billion, reflecting higher market risk and updates to operational risk measures.
NatWest Markets reported a liquidity coverage ratio of 167% and a liquidity portfolio of £19.4 billion.
It also issued £2.8 billion in public benchmark transactions during the quarter, including €1 billion under its euro medium-term note program and $2.5 billion under its U.S. medium-term note program.
Additional funding was raised through other formats, including structured notes.
Climate and sustainable financing totaled £52.7 billion toward the NatWest Group’s £100 billion target, which covers the period from July 1, 2021, to the end of 2025.