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U.S. Bancorp's (USB) Q3 Earnings As Expected, Revenues Up

Published 10/18/2017, 01:07 AM
Updated 07/09/2023, 06:31 AM

U.S. Bancorp’s (NYSE:USB) third-quarter 2017 earnings per share of 88 cents came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results came ahead of the prior-year quarter earnings of 84 cents.

Easing margin pressure on rising rates was witnessed in the quarter. Moreover, revenues improved on a year-over-year basis aided by rise in net interest income. Further, elevated average loans and deposits balances were tailwinds. However, escalating expenses, lower mortgage banking revenues and provisions were major drags.

Net income was $1.6 billion, up 3.5% year over year.

Revenues, Loans & Deposits Growth Recorded, Costs & Provisions Flare Up

U.S. Bancorp’s net revenues came in at around $5.6 billion in the quarter, up 4.1% year over year. The increase in net interest income was partly offset by lower non-interest income. Also, revenues came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

U.S. Bancorp’s tax-equivalent net interest income totaled $3.2 billion in the quarter, up 8.3% from the prior-year quarter. The rise was mainly due to loan growth and rising interest rates.

Average earning assets climbed 3.8% year over year, supported by growth in average total loans and average investment securities, along with elevated average other earning assets. Furthermore, net interest margin of 3.10% was up 12 basis points year over year, driven by higher interest rates and loan portfolio mix. Higher funding costs and elevated cash balances partially mitigated rise in margins.

U.S. Bancorp’s non-interest income edged down around 1% on a year-over-year basis to $2.4 billion. The decline was primarily due to lower merchant processing services, mortgage banking revenues and reduced securities gains.

Provision for credit losses increased 10.8% year over year to $360 million in the reported quarter.

U.S. Bancorp’s average total loans climbed 3% year over year to $277.6 billion. The growth was stemmed by a rise in commercial loans, residential mortgages, total other retail and credit card loans. These increases were partially offset by a drop in commercial real estate and covered loans. Excluding covered loans, average total loans rose 3.3% year over year.

Average total deposits were up 5.2% from the prior-year quarter to $335.2 billion. The upsurge was due to growth in interest-bearing deposits, partly offset by lower non-interest-bearing deposits.

Non-interest expenses rose 3.7% year over year to $3 billion at U.S. Bancorp. The upsurge in mostly all components of non-interest expenses was partially offset by lower professional services, marketing and business development expenses along with other intangibles.

Deteriorating Credit Quality

Credit metrics at U.S. Bancorp deteriorated in the reported quarter. Net charge-offs came in at $330 million, up 4.8% year over year. On a year-over-year basis, the company experienced deterioration, mainly in net charge-offs in the credit card segment.

Total allowance for credit losses was $4.4 billion, slightly up on a year-over-year basis. U.S. Bancorp’s non-performing assets (excluding covered assets) came in at $1.3 billion, down 23.5% year over year.

Strong Capital Position

During the quarter under review, U.S. Bancorp maintained a solid capital position. Effective Jan 1, 2014, the regulatory capital requirements for the company comply with Basel III, subject to certain transition provisions from Basel I over the next four years to full implementation by Jan 1, 2018.

The tier 1 capital ratio came in at 11.1%, in line with the prior-year quarter. Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio under the Basel III standardized approach fully implemented was 9.6% as of Sep 30, 2017, up from 9.5% in the year-ago quarter.

All regulatory ratios of U.S. Bancorp continued to be in excess of well-capitalized requirements. In addition, based on the Basel III fully implemented advanced approach, the Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets ratio was estimated at 11.8% as of Sep 30, 2017, compared with 12.1% as of Sep 30, 2016.

The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 7.7% as of Sep 30, 2017, compared with 7.5% as of Sep 30, 2016.

U.S. Bancorp posted an improvement in book value per share, which increased to $25.98 as of Sep 30, 2017, from $24.78 recorded at the end of the year-earlier quarter.

Capital Deployment Update

Reflecting the company’s capital strength during the third quarter, U.S. Bancorp returned 79% of earnings to its shareholders through common stock dividends and buybacks. It came within the company’s long-term goal of returning 60-80% to its shareholders.

Conclusion

U.S. Bancorp posted a decent quarter. Along with elevated revenues, a solid capital position and increased lending activities were added advantages. In addition, rising margins was a positive.

Nevertheless, weakness in the credit card portfolio adversely affected its asset quality. Additionally, there are concerns related to the impact of legal issues and the company’s global exposure. Also, escalating expenses, along with provisions, remain headwinds.

U.S. Bancorp Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

U.S. Bancorp Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | U.S. Bancorp Quote

U.S. Bancorp currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Major Banks

Despite weak fixed income market revenues, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) delivered a positive earnings surprise of 7.6% in the third quarter on prudent expense management. Earnings per share of $1.42 for the quarter easily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.32. Also, earnings compared favorably with the year-ago figure of $1.24 per share. Notably, results included after-tax gain related to the sale of a fixed income analytics business.

Amid an expected trading slump, rising rates and loan growth drove JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s (NYSE:JPM) third-quarter 2017 earnings of $1.76 per share, easily surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.67. Also, the figure reflects an 11% rise from the year-ago period. Notably, the results included a legal benefit of $107 million. Solid loan growth (driven mainly by improved credit card loans) and elevated interest rates supported net interest income. In addition, rise in advisory fees supported the top-line growth. A slight fall in operating expenses acted as a tailwind.

Wells Fargo & Company’s (NYSE:WFC) third-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.04 per share were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Including previously disclosed mortgage-related discrete litigation accrual of 20 cents per share, earnings came in at 84 cents per share, comparing unfavorably with the prior-year quarter’s earnings of $1.03 per share.

Though rise in rates provided some respite, lower revenues aided by fall in non-interest income were recorded. Moreover, expenses soared. Also, reduction in loans acted as headwind for the quarter. Though the bank’s commercial portfolio improved, consumer loans disappointed. Improvement in credit quality and steady capital deployment activities were experienced.

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J P Morgan Chase & Co (JPM): Free Stock Analysis Report

U.S. Bancorp (USB): Free Stock Analysis Report

Wells Fargo & Company (WFC): Free Stock Analysis Report

Citigroup Inc. (C): Free Stock Analysis Report

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