Deutsche Bank posts steeper-than-expected Q4 profit fall and scraps cost target

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Deutsche Bank offices in the City of London on July 2, 2024, in London, U.K. Mike Kemp | In Pictures | Getty Images

Germany's largest lender Deutsche Bank on Thursday reported weaker-than-expected profit that fell sharply in the last three months of 2024, as legal provisions weighed on the bottom line.

Net profit attributable to shareholders hit 106 million euros ($110.4 million) in the fourth quarter, compared with the 282.39 million euros forecast in a LSEG poll of analysts. The result marked a significant fall from the 1.461 billion euros achieved in the third quarter.

Revenue reached 7.224 million euros in the fourth quarter, versus a LSEG analyst poll of 7.125 billion euros — but was eroded by litigation costs over the period to the tune of 594 million euros.

The bank said it now targets a cost-income ratio of below 65% this year, compared with an initial goal of below 62.5%. Despite the drop in quarterly profit, Deutsche Bank launched a 750 million-euro share buyback.

 This breaking news story is being updated.

This story originally appeared on: CNBC - Author:Ruxandra Iordache