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Investing.com -- Shares of KBC Groep (EBR:KBC) climbed 3% following the announcement of their fourth-quarter earnings, which surpassed consensus expectations.
The Belgian financial group reported a net profit of EUR 1,115 million, exceeding the EUR 1,055 million anticipated by analysts. The underlying pre-tax profit was 11% above consensus, with total impairments of EUR 78 million coming in under the expected EUR 98 million charge.
The company’s adjusted pre-provision profit was 8% higher than consensus, thanks to revenues that were 4% above expectations while total expenses aligned with analyst projections.
All revenue lines showed strength, with net interest income (NII) 4% above consensus, fees 8% above, and insurance revenues before reinsurance 5% above consensus. The revenue beat was sufficient to offset the 1% higher operating expenses.
Regionally, Belgium’s NII increased by 1% quarter-over-quarter, aided by higher reinvestment yields and lower funding costs. In the Czech Republic, NII grew by 4% quarter-over-quarter, driven by higher volumes and lower pass-through rates.
Fee income also outperformed, rising 9% quarter-over-quarter and 17% YoY, mainly due to an increase in asset management fees and banking service fees.
Non-life insurance sales dipped slightly by 2% quarter-over-quarter but increased by 8% YoY, while life insurance sales saw a decrease of 8% quarter-over-quarter due to strong previous quarter comparisons but grew by 7% YoY.
KBC booked a net impairment of EUR 78 million in the fourth quarter, including net loan loss provisions of EUR 100 million and a EUR 50 million expected credit loss buffer. The collective provision for geopolitical and emerging risks now stands at EUR 117 million.
Costs, excluding levies, were 1% above consensus and increased 6% quarter-over-quarter, primarily due to higher ICT, regulatory costs, and seasonal marketing and professional costs. The CET 1 ratio was reported at 15.0%, in line with consensus estimates.
KBC announced a final dividend of EUR 3.15 per share, which was below the consensus expectation of EUR 3.56 per share. The total dividend payment reached EUR 4.15 per share, representing a 51% payout ratio, compared to the anticipated EUR 4.56 per share.
Looking ahead, KBC provided new guidance for 2025 on NII and insurance revenues, which are both better than consensus expectations. The company also offered 2024-2027 compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projections for revenues, NII, and costs, suggesting a potential 5% upgrade to consensus at the pre-provision level.
RBC analysts commented on the results, stating: "KBC presented a strong set of Q4 results, with a beat on the pre-provision level driven by strength across all revenues lines and continued cost control. 2025 guidance and new 2027 targets suggest upside to consensus.
With a 15% CET 1 ratio at YE 2024 there appears no room for special distributions, but higher profits should drive capital distributions higher (via payout ratio)."
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