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European banks are quietly defying the doubters and Citi believes the run isn't over yet, with HSBC Holdings PLC and NatWest Group PLC its top picks. The sector is up 4% in the year to date, "climbing a wall of worry" that includes ECB rate cuts, tariff uncertainty, and geopolitical concerns.
Investors looking for stocks in the Banks - Foreign sector might want to consider either NatWest Group (NWG) or Sumitomo Mitsui (SMFG). But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now?
Chase Investment Counsel Corp purchased a new stake in shares of NatWest Group plc (NYSE: NWG) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 252,991 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,579,000. Several other institutional investors
Diamond Hill International Strategy returned 3.87% (net of fees) and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index returned 5.05%. Sumitomo Densetsu, a Japanese electrical contractor, benefited from a takeover bid by Daiwa House, whose tender offer at a premium price drove the stock higher. Stock selection in information technology and industrials contributed, along with our overweight to communication services.
NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) shares rose 4% to 603.88p after UBS upgraded its earnings forecasts following better-than-expected fourth quarter and stronger capital generation. The Swiss bank said fourth-quarter pre-tax profit excluding notable items and litigation and conduct charges was 7% above consensus, with net interest income 3% ahead and operating costs in line, while impairments were 30% better than expected at 13 basis points of loans.
Caprock Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NatWest Group plc (NYSE: NWG) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 144,247 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,051,000. Other large investors have also recently added to or
NatWest Group plc (NWG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
NatWest Group delivered strong Q4 and FY25 results, with revenue and earnings easily clearing sell-side consensus. NWG's structural hedge continues to boost net interest income, with management guiding for growing hedge income through 2030. The £2.7 billion Evelyn Partners acquisition will more than double NatWest's AUMA while also diversifying its revenue away from net interest income.
British bank NatWest softened its fossil fuel lending policy on Friday as it released full-year results, prompting activist ShareAction to call on investors to oppose re-election of the company's chair at its forthcoming annual meeting.
NatWest guided for further income growth and profitability this year as it reported fourth-quarter results that beat expectations.
NatWest Group PLC told investors that 2025 profit and income rose sharply, allowing it to hike shareholder returns again and tee up a fresh £750 million share buyback for the first half of 2026, as the UK lender raised its medium-term ambitions and set out new financial targets. The bank reported total income of £16.4 billion, up 12% year-on-year, helped by deposit margin expansion, stronger structural hedge income and lending growth.
NatWest said its annual profit rose 24% on Friday, slightly ahead of forecasts, and the lender set out more ambitious performance targets.
NatWest Group PLC's £2.7bn deal to buy Evelyn Partners may have spooked the market, but analysts at UBS think the share sell-off looks like an overreaction, and, as such they've kept a 'Buy' rating with a 780p price target, implying almost 29% upside from 605p. On Monday, the UK bank confirmed the acquisition of Evelyn Partners for £2.7bn - that's 15.1x FY25 adj EBITDA of £179m, for 130bps, UBS said - framing the purchase as a meaningful but manageable capital deployment.
NatWest Group plc (NWG) M&A Call Transcript
NatWest Group (NWG) acquires Evelyn Partners for 2.7 billion pounds, aiming to enhance wealth management services and reach.
NatWest Group PLC shares fell 4% to 632.8p, having recently hit a post-2008 high, after the bank revealed it had struck a £2.7 billion deal to buy Evelyn Partners. Ahead of NatWest's financial results on Friday, the purchase of the wealth management firm drew a mixed response from City analysts, with attention focused on price, cost savings and what it means for the wider wealth sector.
NatWest share price suffered a harsh reversal, moving from a high of 704p on February 4 to the current 633p. This retreat happened after the company announced its buyout of Evelyn Partners ahead of its upcoming earnings.
NatWest shares slid 4% in early European trading. The transaction is worth £2.7 billion ($3.7 billion) and merges the private bank with one of the U.K.'s largest wealth managers.
NatWest Group PLC has agreed to buy wealth manager Evelyn Partners for £2.7 billion and announced a £750 million share buyback. The FTSE 100-listed bank said the acquisition would expand its private banking and wealth management arm to around 20% of group customer assets and liabilities, as well as increasing income from fees rather than lending.
The acquisition more than doubles NatWest's assets under management and administration to £127 billion.