Event: Stanbic IBTC Holdings (Stanbic) reports Q4 2017 results
Implications: Limited reaction from the market likely
Positives: Strong growth in non-interest income, +63% y/y
Negatives: Proposed final dividend of 50kobo below expectations; opex +38% y/y
Stanbic’s Q4 2017 results which were released this afternoon show that PBT of N15.5bn grew by 35% y/y while PAT came in at N14.2bn, up 25% y/y. Both revenue lines were up, but the non-interest income result was the more striking of the two, increasing by a stellar 63% y/y to N24.9bn.
Funding income managed a 10% y/y growth to N20.6bn. Loan loss provisions also increased, by 16% y/y, but this increase was surpassed by that of revenue growth. A higher tax rate (31% vs 27.4% a year ago) explain the slower growth in PAT relative to PBT. Q/q movements were modest across the P&L, except for the other comprehensive income (OCI) line where the N4.1bn reported compare with N323m in Q3. Compared with our estimates, while the PBT missed by 22%, PAT was in line thanks to the OCI result. The results were broadly in line with consensus.
Stanbic proposed a final dividend of 50kobo. Consensus and FBNQuest Capital expected at least N1 naira. The market does not have a good handle on dividend expectations because the payout ratio over the last few years have seen significant fluctuations. Even if the proposed dividend had matched expectations, the low single digit yield would have had no impact on the stock in our view.
There are no major positives or negatives in the underlying results. As such, we would expect a neutral reaction by the market. Focus therefore shifts to the 2018 guidance when the bank hosts its conference call on Monday. Offsetting reduced interest income from tbills and bonds with a pick-up in loan growth will be important for banks in general. Stanbic’s business still being skewed to non-interest income provides some buffer at least, however. – Proshare