EU FINANCIALS: Raiffeisen Bank - Q4 Results

Feb-04 11:40

Credit neutral - Positive operational results set against increased Russian uncertainty

*Correction, earlier headline should have read that the expected 2025 CET1 excluding Russia would  be 15.2%, which would be a 10bp increase in CET1 ex-Russia. This is derived from the calculation where there 17.1% group CET1 sees Russia deconsolidated at 0 value.

  • NII increased 5.6% QoQ to 1,511m, driven by central and eastern Europe. Fee & commission income was also 2.8% higher QoQ to €668m
  • Non- interest expenses declined 0.5% QoQ to €948m
  • Financial impairments were low at  €13m. Asset quality and provisioning looks good.
  • Operating income as a result looks healthy at €1,258, up 2.3% QoQ
  • However, a €840m Russian legal provision is the main contribution to a non-financial impairment of €1,032. There is also a further €800 loss on discontinues operations.
  • Net income therefore prints at -€926m, which is a -94bps of RWA.
  • CET1 declines -67bps from 17.8% to 17.1%, or 15.1% with a p/b zero Russia deconsolidation
  • Issuance should be light following the Tier 2 in October and the AT1 in November although two senior benchmark bonds should be expected in 2025 in Sr Pref and Sr Non-Pref space.

Historical bullets

JGB TECHS: (H5) Returns Lower

Jan-03 23:45
  • RES 3: 149.55 - High Mar 22 (cont)
  • RES 2: 147.74 - High Jan 15 and bull trigger (cont)  
  • RES 1: 144.48/146.53 - High Nov 11 / High Aug 6 
  • PRICE: 142.12 @ 15:01 GMT Jan 03
  • SUP 1: 141.65 - Low Dec 30
  • SUP 2: 141.56 - 1.764 proj of the Aug 6 - Sep 3 - 9 price swing
  • SUP 3: 141.05 - 2.000 proj of the Aug 6 - Sep 3 - 9 price swing   

Markets slipped on the hawkish Fed and are yet to fully recover, touching 141.65 on the way lower. Medium-term trend signals on the continuation chart continue to point south. A resumption of the trend would pave the way for a move towards 141.56, a Fibonacci projection point on the continuation chart. A stronger recovery would open 144.48, the Nov 11 high. Further out, key resistance is at 146.53, the Aug 6 high (cont). 

USDCAD TECHS: Bull Flag Highlights A Clear Uptrend

Jan-03 21:00
  • RES 4: 1.4669 2.0% 10-dma envelope
  • RES 3: 1.4539 3.382 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 2: 1.4508 3.236 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 1: 1.4467 High Dec 19 
  • PRICE: 1.4392 @ 15:50 GMT Jan 3 
  • SUP 1: 1.4336 Low Dec 20  
  • SUP 2: 1.4307/4232 20-day EMA / Low Dec 17 
  • SUP 3: 1.4136 50-day EMA
  • SUP 4: 1.4011 Low Dec 5

USDCAD is unchanged and bulls remain in the driver’s seat. The latest pause appears to be a flag formation - a bullish continuation signal. Note too that moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. Sights are on 1.4508 next, a Fibonacci projection level. Initial firm support to watch lies at 1.4307, the 20-day EMA. A pullback would be considered corrective.

AUDUSD TECHS: Southbound

Jan-03 20:30
  • RES 4: 0.6471 High Dec 9
  • RES 3: 0.6408 50-day EMA               
  • RES 2: 0.6341 High Dec 18   
  • RES 1: 0.6247/6282 High Dec 30 / 20-day EMA
  • PRICE: 0.6204 @ 15:21 GMT Jan 3 
  • SUP 1: 0.6179 Low Dec 31 
  • SUP 3: 0.6158 1.236 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
  • SUP 3: 0.6100 Round number support 
  • SUP 4: 0.6045 1.500 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing

A bearish trend condition in AUDUSD remains intact and the pair continues to trade closer to latest lows. Recent weakness maintains the price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. Note that moving average studies are in a bear-mode position too, highlighting a dominant downtrend. Scope is seen for an extension towards 0.6158 next, a Fibonacci projection. Initial firm resistance to monitor is 0.6282, the 20-day EMA.