Investec posts profit slip, boosts dividend

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Kerry Fredericks

Investec posted a 0.8% slip in half-year profit last week but the bank and wealth manager declared a higher interim dividend than a year earlier.

Source: Investec.

It reported headline earnings per share of 36.6 pence for the six months to 30 September 2024 versus 36.9 pence in the previous first half. It announced an interim dividend of 16.5 pence per share, up from 15.5 pence.

Its performance was impacted by discontinued operations but buoyed by growth in lending and higher interest rates, the bank said in a statement.

Group revenue rose by 5.6% to 1.1bn pound ($1.39bn), benefiting from balance-sheet growth, a strong performance from client franchises and elevated interest rates, it said.

Its credit loss ratio (CLR) - a measure of bad loans versus total loans - increased to 42 from 32 basis points a year earlier, towards the upper end of its targeted range of 25-45.

The bank, which also operates in the UK, opened an office in Dubai's financial centre in September to serve wealthy families and individuals in the region.