Italy's BPER profit hit by staff exits but outlook stands
Adds analyst comments, shares, details on outlook
MILAN, Aug 7 (Reuters) -Italy's fourth-largest bank BPER Banca EMII.MI on Wednesday reported a 35.5% yearly drop in net income for the second quarter, after agreeing to fund nearly 600 new requests of early retirement from staff.
BPER, which has grown rapidly through acquisitions in recent years, said net profit for the three months through June totalled 267 million euros ($292 million), well below a 387 million euro LSEG analyst forecast.
Citi analysts said that, when excluding the one-off staff costs, net profit would have been broadly in line with consensus with core revenues and capital slightly ahead of expectations and fewer than forecast loan loss provisions.
BPER broadly confirmed its outlook for the year, guiding for stable net interest income, which it had previously expected to decline, but also slightly higher costs, while improving expectations for loan-related losses.
Shares in BPER Banca, which have risen 54% this year, fell as much as 2% in early trade but quickly cut losses to stand 0.2% lower by 0742 GMT.
BPER said it would present a business plan for 2024-2027 on Oct. 10 after naming in April veteran UniCredit executive Franco Papa as its new chief executive.
"The key focus will likely be on capital distribution options given its high capital position and lower than peers current payout," Citi said.
BPER's expansion in recent years has been fostered by its single biggest shareholder, insurer Unipol UNPI.MI, which is also the largest investor in Popolare di Sondrio BPSI.MI.($1 = 0.9167 euros)
($1 = 0.9158 euros)
Reporting by Andrea Mandalà, editing by Valentina Za
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