| Mon 20 Jul 2009, 10:54 | | NED - Nedbank Group - Trading Statement |
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NED
NED
NED - Nedbank Group - Trading Statement
NEDBANK GROUP LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 1966/010630/06
JSE share code: NED
NSX share code: NBK
ISIN: ZAE000004875
("Nedbank Group" or "the group")
TRADING STATEMENT
In its 2008 results announcement and in the trading update for the first quarter
of 2009, the group cautioned that the deteriorating macroeconomic environment
both globally and domestically was likely to make 2009 significantly more
challenging for the South African banking sector. The economic downturn in the
first half of 2009 has been greater than expected with GDP in the first quarter
falling by an annualised 6,4% from the fourth quarter of 2008 and as a result
interest rates have been reduced by 4% since December.
While the faster than expected reduction in interest rates is positive for the
South African economy and improves prospects for medium-term earnings growth, in
the short term, the negative endowment impact results in margin compression. The
bank has remained solidly profitable, but this reduced endowment, together with
slower asset growth and increasing impairments, has resulted in reduced earnings
levels compared to the comparative period to June 2008. There are early signs
that declining interest rates have now started to slow the rate of increase in
impairments and consequently the credit loss ratio for the six months to 30 June
2009 ("the period") is anticipated to remain at levels similar to, or slightly
below the 1,67% reported for the quarter ended 31 March 2009.
In this challenging environment, the group continued to focus on the strength of
its balance sheet and grew its net asset value, maintained sound liquidity and
strengthened its capital adequacy during the period. Nedbank Group`s capital
adequacy ratios remain well above the minimum regulatory levels. The group`s
Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio of 10,0% and the total capital adequacy ratio of
13,2% reported for the quarter ended 31 March 2009, are at the top end of the
group`s upwardly revised target ranges and June capital adequacy levels are
expected to be similar to March.
Shareholders are advised that diluted headline earnings per share for the period
are expected to be between 32% and 37% lower than the 719 cents per share
reported for the comparative period to June 2008.
After taking into account the profit on the sale of Visa shares included in the
comparative period and accounting in the current period for the transaction to
purchase the Old Mutual Group`s interests in the Nedlife, BoE Private Clients
and Fairbairn Private Bank joint ventures, diluted basic earnings per share for
the period are expected to be between 29% and 34% lower than the 879 cents per
share reported for the comparative period to June 2008.
Nedbank Group`s results for the six months ended 30 June 2009 will be released
on SENS on Wednesday, 5 August 2009, at which stage earnings guidance will be
provided for the full year.
The financial information on which this trading statement is based has not been
reviewed or reported on by the group`s auditors.
Sandton
20 July 2009
Sponsors to Nedbank Group in South Africa:
Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Limited
Nedbank Capital
Sponsor to Nedbank Group in Namibia:
Old Mutual Investment Services (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd
Date: 20/07/2009 10:54:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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