Source: Sharecast
For the six months ended 30 September, Investec guided to adjusted earnings per share between 41.7p to 43.3p, up between 3% to 7% on the prior period, while headline earnings per share were expected to come in between 38.1p and 39.7p, and basic earnings per share were set to rise by between 1% and 5% year-on-year.
Pre‑provision adjusted operating profits were expected to come in between £531.4m to £548.4m, modestly ahead of the prior year, with adjusted operating profits before tax expected between £479.2m and £496.2m.
Investec said credit quality remained sound, with the credit‑loss ratio expected to sit within its through‑the‑cycle range. The cost‑to‑income ratio was set to land between 52% and 54%, in line with guidance and group return on equity was expected between 13.1% and 13.5%, while return on tangible equity was forecast at 15% to 15.5%.
The FTSE 250-listed firm said revenue growth had been supported by higher average lending volumes, increased client activity and positive net inflows into discretionary and annuity funds under management. Net interest income benefited from lending growth and lower funding costs in Southern Africa, though this was partly offset by lower average interest rates globally. Non‑interest revenue was underpinned by strong fee income from the Southern African private‑client business and increased client activity across interest‑rate, equity‑derivative and commodity trading.
Across the five months to 31 August, core loans in the specialist‑banking division grew at an annualised rate of 6.3% in neutral currency and 10.3% in reported currency, reaching £37bn. Customer deposits rose at an annualised 2.8% in neutral currency and 6.8% in reported terms to £46bn. Funds under management in the Southern African wealth business increased to £30.7bn, supported by strong discretionary and non‑discretionary inflows.
As of 0845 BST, Investec shares were down 1.06% at 654p.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
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