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UPDATE 2-SocGen sees small Q2 net profit after CDS hit

Published 07/06/2009, 07:30 AM
Updated 07/06/2009, 07:33 AM
SOGN
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* Net banking income to take 1.3 bln euro hit on CDS

* Says cost of risk at comparable level to Q1

* Tier 1 and core Tier 1 ratios close to March 31 levels

* Sees no goodwill writedown in Q2 or increased state stake

* Shares down over 3 percent, in line with sector index

(Adds analyst comment, updates share price)

By Sophie Taylor

PARIS, July 6 (Reuters) - Societe Generale expects to post a small second-quarter net profit, helped by its corporate and investment banking division, the French bank said in a statement on Monday.

Net banking income would be hit by a negative impact of 1.3 billion euros resulting from credit default swaps used to hedge its loan portfolio and debt instruments used by the group, the bank added.

"This was unexpected. The group says it will get a boost from its investment banking division, but I don't think it is likely to see any advantages right away. Its cost of risk remains quite high," said one Paris-based analyst who had estimated SocGen would post a slight quarterly loss.

The bank said the cost of risk would reach a level similar to the first quarter. The Tier 1 and Core Tier 1 ratios would be close to their March 31 levels pro forma of the issue of preference shares to the French state.

Societe Generale slumped to a surprise loss in the first quarter as higher-than-expected writedowns and provisions hit the bank's earnings.

Chief Executive Frederic Oudea said he did not expect any goodwill writedowns in the second quarter.

"Net income is expected to be slightly positive," the bank said.

"Solid operational performances, in particular in Corporate & Investment Banking, will absorb the significant negative impact on the accounts of the substantial tightening of credit spreads stemming from an improving market environment and reduced aversion to risk since mid-March."

Oudea added that there were no plans for the state to increase its stake in the French bank.

Shareholders on Monday voted with a majority of 80 percent to approve Oudea's appointment as chairman in addition to being CEO, replacing Daniel Bouton who was forced out after constant public criticism over the bank's record trading losses.

Shares in the bank were down 2.9 percent at 36.80 euros by 1111 GMT on Monday, broadly in line with the drop on the DJ Stoxx European banks index. The French CAC 40 index was 1.7 percent weaker.

SocGen said it would publish full second-quarter results on Aug. 5. (Additional reporting by James Regan; editing by Simon Jessop)

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