Credit Agricole , France's second-biggest listed bank, posted a forecast-beating 55% jump in first-quarter net profit on Friday, helped by corporate and investment banking sales that outperformed rivals.
Net profit in the January to March period rose to 1.9 billion euros ($2.04 billion), above the 1.48 billion-euro average of 19 analyst estimates compiled by the company.
Sales climbed 11% to 6.81 billion euros, topping analyst expectations of 6.47 billion euros.
The cost of risk, or money put aside for bad loans, was 400 million euros, 105 million euros less than expected.
Targets include annual underlying net income of more than 6 billion euros and a return on tangible equity of more than 12%.
Persons:
Amundi
Organizations:
Credit Agricole, BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Agricole
Locations:
France's, France