0718 GMT - Lloyds Banking Group's results are slightly disappointing, Citi analysts say after the lender reported first-quarter results in which it backed its 2024 guidance. Their main concern is that underlying pre-provision pretax profit is 11% below consensus, with revenue slightly lighter and costs heavier. "We take some reassurance from the reiteration of the prior 2024 cost guidance, so it appears the cost miss is mainly a timing issue on severance and due to new application approach of Bank of England levy," they write in a note. Weaker net interest income seems to be due to a larger non-banking interest expense charge and banking net interest margin is actually better, they add. Shares in London shed 2.9% and trade at 49.84 pence. (elena.vardon@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 24, 2024 03:21 ET (07:21 GMT)
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