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NAB profit flat as bad debts increase

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NAB has posted a flat cash profit of $3.29 billion in a half-year result that is largely in line with analyst predictions, but bad and doubtful debts edged up 5 per cent to $394 million.

NAB’s cash earnings for the half-year to 31 March 2017 was $3.29 billion, up 2.3 per cent compared to the March 2016 half-year.

Statutory net profit for the bank was $2.55 billion compared to a loss of $1.74 billion for the prior corresponding period.

On a cash earnings basis, revenue increased 1.8 per cent largely due to stronger trading income, and expenses rose 0.8 per cent reflecting in part “higher personnel costs including redundancy charges”.

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The total charge for bad and doubtful debts was $394 million, up $19 million or 5.1 per cent, reflecting an increase in the collective provision for risks relating to the bank’s commercial real estate portfolio.

UBS analysts said in a note that the result was broadly in line [with expectations] with very few surprises.

UBS described the result as clean and flat albeit boosted by stronger trading incomes, resulting in an unchanged valuation and price target of $30.

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