Barclays(BCS) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Income grew by 14% year on year to GBP 7.2 billion, with profit before taxes increasing by 28% to GBP 2.5 billion and earnings per share rising by 41% to 11.7p [2][3] - Return on tangible equity (RoTE) was 13.2% in the first half of the year, compared to 11.1% in 2024 and 9.9% in the second quarter of the previous year [3][13] - Cost-to-income ratio improved to 59% in the second quarter, a four percentage point improvement year on year [3][17] - The CET1 ratio stood at 14%, supporting strong capital generation and a £1 billion buyback announcement [3][41] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - All divisions generated double-digit RoTE in the second quarter, with the investment bank's RoTE improving by 2.6 percentage points year on year to 12.2% [5][33] - Barclays UK reported a RoTE of 19.7% with net interest income (NII) increasing by 16% year on year [25][26] - The U.S. Consumer Bank's RoTE was 10.2%, up from 9.2% in the previous year, with total income increasing by 7% year on year [38][39] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The investment bank's income grew by 10% year on year, with market income up 34% in U.S. dollar terms [34][35] - Financing income within markets increased by 23% year on year, particularly strong in prime [10][35] - The U.S. Consumer Bank's net receivables grew by 5% to $33.9 billion, with NIM expanding to 10.8% [39][40] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to a three-year plan aimed at delivering higher and more balanced returns, with a target RoTE of approximately 11% in 2025 and over 12% in 2026 [4][7] - The strategy includes operational improvements across divisions to drive structurally higher and more consistent group returns [4][6] - The company has deployed £17 billion of business growth risk-weighted assets (RWAs) into UK-focused businesses, with plans to reach £30 billion by 2026 [7][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving the full objectives of the three-year plan, highlighting strong operational and financial progress [4][6] - The economic environment remains resilient, with low delinquencies and stable credit performance, supporting a positive outlook for impairments [20][72] - Management noted that the ongoing execution of the plan positions the company well to deliver RoTE guidance and targets [7][45] Other Important Information - The company announced a total of £1.4 billion in shareholder distributions for 2025, up 21% year on year, including a £1 billion buyback [3][41] - The structural hedge is expected to deliver multi-year NII growth, with £11.1 billion of gross structural hedge income locked in for 2025 and 2026 [16][40] Q&A Session Summary Question: Capital position and distribution versus M&A options - Management indicated that the capital position reflects the execution of the strategy, allowing for higher distributions while maintaining investment capabilities [50][52] Question: Investment banking fees in a low volatility environment - Management acknowledged that while investment banking fees have been challenged, they expect deal activity to increase, which could support future growth [61][60] Question: Impact of historic swap maturity on Barclays UK - Management clarified that the swap maturity impact is purely accounting timing and should not recur, with confidence in NII growth for the second half of the year [68][69] Question: U.S. Consumer Bank impairments outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining impairment guidance, noting stable delinquencies and a positive economic outlook [72][71]