Commerzbank shares fall as risk provisions spook investors

Shares of Germany’s Commerzbank (CBKG.DE) fell as much as 6 per cent earlier this week after it reported larger than expected loan loss provisions in the second quarter.

The stock price drop came despite the bank announcing plans for a 600 million euro ($654.48 million) share buyback as it met net profit expectations. S&P also upgraded the lender’s credit rating.

Commerzbank, one of Germany’s best-known banks, is partially held by the government after a bailout more than a decade ago, since when it has spent much of the time undergoing a major overhaul, slashing its workforce and branch network to restore profit.

Analysts at Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan called the results, which showed a 4.8 per cent drop in net profit from a year earlier, solid.

“However, the extent of the provision losses will disappoint some,” analysts at KBW wrote in a client note.

The bank reported provisions for loan losses in the second quarter of 199 million euros, more than the 161 million euros analysts had been expecting and a figure it said was influenced by troubles at a handful of clients. It didn’t identify them.

At the same time, the bank’s leadership signalled economic headwinds in its home market.

“We expect GDP to pick up a bit later than originally expected,” said CEO Manfred Knof.

Second quarter net profit of 538 million euros compared with 565 million euros a year earlier and average analyst expectations of 539 million euros, according to a July consensus forecast published by the German lender.

The drop came as net interest income fell and as the bank booked expenses related to a long-standing issue with mortgage loans at its Polish unit and litigation in Russia.

The bank nevertheless confirmed its forecast for a full-year profit of more than last year’s 2.2 billion euros.

Shares were 4 per cent lower in early afternoon trading. Global stock markets have been volatile in recent sessions amid concerns that the U.S. economy could fall into recession.

S&P meanwhile upgraded the bank to A/A-1 from A-/A-2, saying it was “delivering stronger and more consistent” profits.

The bank said it had sought approval with its regulators for a first tranche of a share buyback programme, and said it plans to apply for a second tranche with its third-quarter results later this year.

($1 = 0.9168 euros)