Citigroup sees 16 per cent rise in quarterly profit

The bank's provision for income tax fell by $351m, following President Trump's corporate tax rate cuts

FILE - In this July 9, 2014, file photo, the Transamerica Pyramid is reflected in the window of the main branch of Citibank in the Financial District of San Francisco. The big Wall Street banks have been reporting billions of dollars in paper losses in January 2018, as they are forced to come into compliance with the new tax law. The biggest loser so far has been Citigroup, which reported an $18 billion loss, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, largely due to the tax law. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
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Citigroup reported a 16 per cent increase in quarterly profit on Friday, as the Wall Street bank benefited from lower taxes, higher fee income and strength in its consumer banking business in Mexico.

The third-largest US bank by assets said net income rose to $4.49 billion in the second quarter ended June 30, from $3.87 billion a year earlier. Pretax profit from continuing operations increased 5 per cent.

Earnings per share rose to $1.63 from $1.28.

Analysts on average had expected earnings per share of $1.56, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. It was not immediately clear if the numbers were comparable.

The bank's provision for income tax fell by $351m, following President Donald Trump's corporate tax rate cuts.

Buybacks reduced shares outstanding by eight per cent from a year earlier, further boosting earnings per share.

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Revenue rose about twoper cent to $18.47bn. Analysts had estimated revenue of $18.51bn.

Through Thursday, Citigroup shares are down 7.per centnt for the year, compared with the 1 per cent drop in the broader KBW Bank Index.

JPMorgan Chase & Co's quarterly profit topped Wall Street's expectations on Friday, as trading revenue came in much higher than expected and demand for loans increased on the back of a strengthening US economy.

Wells Fargo & Co, the fourth-largest bank by assets, was also to report on Friday morning.