Habib Bank Limited (HBL PA): 1Q EPS PKR2.1, down 33%; DPS PKR1.25 – By Insight Research

<ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:medium;">Habib Bank Limited (HBL PA) has announced its consolidated 1Q 2019 profits of PKR3.0b (EPS PKR2.1), which is down 33% YoY due to 21% surge in Operating expenses and high tax charge.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:medium;">The bank has also announced DPS of PKR1.25.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:medium;">Thanks to higher interest rates, NII increased 19% YoY. Non Interest Income increased 22% due to positive forex income (vs. loss in 1Q 2018) and 18% growth in fee income.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:medium;">Low provisions of PKR83m also provided some help.</span></li></ul><ul><li><sp...