1st Quarter Results
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA
26 April 2006
First quarter results for 2006
Net attributable profit at BBVA rises 25.1% to €1.02 billion
O The sharp rise in revenue helped the Bank set new records for a single
quarter in net interest income (without dividends), core revenues, ordinary
revenues, operating profit and profit before tax
O Earnings per share (EPS) increased 25.1% and return on equity (ROE)
stands at 34.1%, compared to 32.8% a year earlier
O Net interest income is up 24.9%, ordinary revenues 27.1% and operating
profit surged 32.9% to €1.9 billion
O The cost/income ratio improved further and now stands at 45.9% (42.4%
excluding depreciation), this is 2.2 points better compared to the 48.1%
level in March 2005
O Non-performing loans fell again, to 0.90%, despite the strong rise in
lending, and coverage has increased to 261.7%, from 228.2% at the same point
last year
O The group's total assets grew 13.6% to €393 billion, total lending rose
22.7% to €228 billion and total customer funds increased 19.3% to €405
billion
O In Retail Banking in Spain and Portugal, lending grew 19.9% and customer
funds 10.9%; operating profit was up 14.3% and net attributable profit rose
12.5% to €363m
O Wholesale Businesses saw operating profit rise 27.9% and net attributable
profit came to €258m, an increase of 33.7%
O Business activity and revenues in Mexico & USA grew strongly with an
80.8% increase in operating profit and 87.7% in net attributable profit,
bringing it to €434m
O South America also recorded a sharp increase in business and revenues;
operating profit jumped 87% and net attributable profit soared 84.7% to €151m
In the first quarter of the year net attributable profit at BBVA came to €1.02
billion. This was 25.1% higher than the same period of 2005 and confirms the
upward trend in recent quarters with vigorous growth in the level of business
and in Group revenues. The quarterly figures set new records for the Group in
terms of net interest income ex-dividends, core revenues, ordinary revenues,
operating profit (which grew 32.9% to €1.9 billion) and profit before tax.
The Group once more improved its fundamentals compared to 2005. Return on equity
(ROE) stands at 34.1% (32.8% a year earlier), the cost/income ratio improved
from 48.1% to 45.9%, the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio dropped from 1.06% to
0.90% and coverage increased from 228.2% to 261.7%. In summary, BBVA has
combined strong growth in activity and revenues in its main markets and business
lines, with new improvements in earnings and competitive strength.
At the beginning of the year, BBVA has stepped up the strong positive trend that
developed in 2005. Business is growing at a fast pace in all areas while it has
maintained the high quality of the loan portfolio. Revenues are up strongly,
driving the increase in earnings, the new improvements in efficiency and the
Group's return on equity.
During the first quarter the upward trend in the world's economy continued. In
Latin America the buoyant global economy, the high price of raw materials and
the high level of liquidity indicate that growth will once more top 4%. The
Spanish economy continued to grow faster than the euro zone average with a
slight slowdown in private sector consumption and in construction but this might
be balanced by a less-negative contribution from foreign trade. The US dollar
and Latin-American currencies depreciated slightly in the quarter although they
are still higher against the euro compared to this time last year and this has a
positive impact on earnings.
In this context, BBVA set new records for many items on the income statement
(net interest income ex-dividends, core revenues, ordinary revenues, operating
profit and profit before tax).
All margins grew well above the 20% level and operating profit climbed 32.9% to
€1.9 billion. All business areas recorded important advances in activity,
operating profit and net attributable profit.
Furthermore, the strength of these results was compatible with a sharp increase
in generic (or non-specific) provisioning, in-line with the Group's policy of
maximum prudence. Accordingly, it increased the amount set aside for loan
provisioning 148.7% to €293m.
During the quarter the Group agreed to sell its 51% stake in Banc Internacional
d'Andorra for €395m. This operation will be concluded in the second quarter and
will generate €112m in net capital gains.
The key figures for the first quarter of 2006 are as follows:
O In the first quarter of 2006, net attributable profit came to €1,020m.
This was 25.1% higher than the €815m recorded in the same quarter of 2005
(19.0% higher at constant exchange rates). Earnings per share grew 25.1% to
€0.30 and ROE increased to 34.1% (32.8% in the first quarter of 2005).
O The quarter established new Group records for net interest income
ex-dividends, core revenues, ordinary revenues, operating profit and profit
before tax.
O The Group's results continue to be characterised by their high quality
and rate of growth. Operating profit rose to €1.9 billion with a year-on-year
increase of 32.9% in euros. At constant exchange rates the increase was
26.2%. This rate of growth was higher than the fourth quarter of 2005 and
higher than that year as a whole.
O All revenue streams recorded important growth. Net interest income rose
24.9% thanks to greater business volume and better performance by customer
spreads. Net fee income and insurance grew 26.3% and net trading income 37.7%.
O As a result, ordinary revenues increased 27.1%, outpacing the 20.2% rise
in operating costs including depreciation (11.4% on a like-for-like basis and
at constant exchange rates).
O Consequently, the cost/income ratio including depreciation, improved 2.2
points to 45.9% (48.1% in the first quarter of 2005). All business areas
reported improvements in the cost/income ratio.
O Despite the sharp increase in lending to customers, BBVA continued to
improve its NPL ratio. At the end of March this stood at 0.90% (1.06% at
31-Mar-05). Higher loan provisioning of a generic nature (as a result of
increased activity), reinforced coverage which rose to 262.1% (228.2% a year
earlier).
O At the end of the quarter, core capital stands at 5.6%, similar to
31-Dec-05. Tier 1 capital is 7.3% and the BIS ratio 11.5%.
O After payment of the third interim dividend of €0.115 per share on 10th
January and the final dividend of €0.186 on 10th April, the total dividend
paid against 2005 earnings came to €0.531 per share. This was 20.1% more than
the amount paid against 2004 results.
O Business activity at Retail Banking in Spain and Portugal resulted in a
year-on-year increase of 19.9% in lending and 10.9% in customer funds. The
rate of growth of net interest income, net fee income and insurance revenue
also accelerated. As a result, ordinary revenues were up 10.9%, operating
profit increased 14.3% and net attributable profit grew 12.5% to €363m.
O The Wholesale Businesses area again confirmed its ability to generate
recurrent earnings. Ordinary revenues were up 24.7% and operating profit grew
27.9%. Net attributable profit climbed 33.7% over the first quarter of 2005
to €258m.
O In Mexico & USA, revenues were up sharply, leading to increases of 37.5%
in ordinary revenues at constant exchange rates. The major contributors to
this positive performance included net interest income which rose 30.8%
(lending was up 37.5% and customer funds 19.8%) and net fee income and
insurance (up 18.5%). Net trading income also increased compared to the low
level in the first quarter of 2005. Expenses increased at a slower pace and
thus operating profit surged 80.8% in current terms (57.5% at constant
exchange rates) over the first quarter of 2005. Net attributable profit
jumped 87.7% at current exchange rates to €434m (63.5% at constant rates).
O The picture in the South America area was similar with strong growth in
the level of business (at constant exchange rates lending was up 29.5% and
customer funds 25.1%). Core revenues increased 29.6% and were complemented by
high net trading income during the quarter. Operating profit increased 87% at
current rates (72% at constant rates) and net attributable profit grew 84.7%
(69.8% at constant exchange rates) to €151m.
Paste the following link into your web browser to download the PDF document
related to this announcement:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/0034c_-2006-4-26.pdf
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange