Riding on higher revenues, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:PNC) reported a positive earnings surprise of 4.5% in second-quarter 2017. Earnings per share of $2.10 easily beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.01. Moreover, it reflects a 15% increase from the prior-year quarter.
Continued growth in loans helped the company earn higher revenues during the quarter. Further, decline in provision for loan losses was a tailwind. However, the positives were partially offset by an increase in expenses.
The company reported net income of $1.1 billion in the reported quarter, up 11% year over year.
Segment wise, on a year-over-year basis, quarterly net income in Corporate & Institutional Banking and Other, including BlackRock, improved 13% and 9%, respectively. Further, net income for Asset Management segment increased 8%.
However, net income in the Retail Banking segment declined 3%.
Higher Expenses More than Offset by Revenue Growth
Total revenue for the quarter came in at $4.06 billion, rising 7% year over year. The reported figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4 billion.
Net interest income was up 9% year over year to $2.26 billion due to higher loan and securities balances. Also, net interest margin increased 14 basis points (bps) year over year to 2.84%.
Non-interest income was up 4% year over year to $1.80 billion, driven by higher corporate services, asset management and other income, partially offset by lower income from residential mortgage.
PNC Financial’s non-interest expenses were $2.48 billion, up 5% from the year-ago quarter. The quarter witnessed rise in marketing, personal and equipment-related expenses.
As of Jun 30, 2017, total loans were up 2% sequentially to $218 billion, supported by commercial lending. However, total deposits dropped 1% to $259.2 billion.
Credit Quality Improves
PNC Financial’s credit quality reflected significant improvement in the quarter.
Non-performing assets declined 14% year over year to $2.15 billion. Moreover, allowance for loan and lease losses fell 5% year over year to $2.56 billion.
Net charge-offs declined 18% year over year to $110 million. Further, provision for credit losses was $98 million, down 23% from $127 million in the prior-year quarter.
Capital Position Weakens
As of Jun 30, 2017, the transitional Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 10.3%, down 3 bps year over year. Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and leverage ratio were 11.6% and 9.9%, respectively, compared with 11.9% and 10.2% at the prior-year quarter end.
Share Repurchase
In the second quarter, PNC Financial repurchased 5.7 million common shares for $0.7 billion.
Our Viewpoint
PNC Financial is well positioned to grow based on its diverse revenue mix and continued improvement in credit quality. Further, an increase in lending activities augurs well for the company. Margin improvement due to rising interest rates should continue to support its top line.
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) Price and EPS Surprise
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) Price and EPS Surprise | PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) Quote
Currently, PNC Financial carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Among other Wall Street giants, U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2017 earnings on Jul 19 while Comerica Inc. (NYSE:CMA) will report on Jul 18. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) will report second-quarter 2017 earnings on Jul 18.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020. Click here for the 6 trades >>
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) (PNC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Comerica Incorporated (CMA): Free Stock Analysis Report
U.S. Bancorp (USB): Free Stock Analysis Report
Bank of America Corporation (BAC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post
Zacks Investment Research