BNP Paribas Lifts Dividend as Revenue, Profit Beat Estimates

By Joshua Kirby

BNP Paribas said it will pay a higher interim dividend after results for the year's second quarter beat expectations.

The French bank, Europe's largest by assets, said net profit surged by a third on year to 4.345 billion euros ($4.96 billion) for the three months through June 30, ahead of expectations of 4.21 billion euros, according to a consensus of analysts' estimates provided by the bank. The bottom line was boosted by revenue growth of 12% to 14.09 billion euros, with corporate and institutional banking leading the increase. Analysts had forecast revenue of 13.545 billion euros for the quarter.

The bank's CET1 ratio, a measure of capital strength, rose to 13.0% as of the end of June.

On the back of the strong quarter, BNP Paribas said it would pay an interim dividend of 3.23 euros a share in September. That marks a rise of nearly a quarter from last year's interim payout, and includes an exceptional capital gain related to the two-pronged deal finalized this year in which the bank raised its stake in Belgian insurer Ageas and at the same time sold a stake in AG Insurance to Ageas for 1.9 billion euros.

"The group achieved strong results driven by momentum across its business lines," Chief Executive Jean-Laurent Bonnafe said.

The lender backed its financial targets through 2028, including annual growth of more than 10% in net profit and a steady rise in profitability.

Write to Joshua Kirby at joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 23, 2026 01:24 ET (05:24 GMT)