Royal Bank posts slightly higher profit and lower loan loss provisions
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Royal Bank of Canada reported a small rise in quarterly profit that beat analysts’ expectations on Wednesday, driven by strength in its capital markets unit and reduced provisions to cover potential loan-losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada’s largest lender by market capitalization set aside $427 million in the fourth quarter, as economic disruptions from the pandemic raised the possibility of defaults. The amount was far lower than analysts’ expectation of $798.75 million, and down 14 per cent from a year earlier.
Net income from personal and commercial banking — RBC’s biggest source of income — fell 7 per cent to $1.5 billion, largely reflecting the impact of lower interest rates.
The country’s banks have faced margin pressure this year from surging deposits and slower lending growth across retail and business segments.
RBC’s capital markets division, which includes trading, investment banking and advisory, however, saw net income soar 44 per cent to $840 million, helped by increased volatility in markets due to the health crisis.
Overall profit was up
Total net income rose to $3.25 billion ($2.51 billion) for the quarter ended Oct. 31, or $2.23 per share, from $3.21 billion, or $2.19 per share, a year earlier.
On an adjusted basis, the bank earned $2.27 per share, higher than analysts’ average estimate of $2.05 per share, according to Refinitiv data.
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SOURCE NEWS