Scotia reports record profit

Scotia Group Jamaica (Scotia Group) today reported record profit for the year to October 2013 of $11.92 billion compared to $10.58 billion for the same period last year. The banking group best other year was in 2009 when they reported $11.15 billion, but reported lower profits since until 2013.

It’s ironic that the group is enjoying one of their best year after having taken an almost $400 million hit when they participated in the government debt swap program. For the last quarter to October, net profit was $3.22 billion, $160 million above the previous quarter ended July, 2013 and $595 million above the quarter ended October 2012.

Earnings per share (EPS) for the year was $3.70 compared to $3.26 for the same period last year. The company reported $1 per share in earnings in the October quarter. Return on average equity was 16.88 percent, up from 15.56 percent last year.

Total operating income rose to $41.37 billion, a 6 percent increase over $39 billion generated in 2012.

Net interest income | Net interest income, after impairment losses for the period, was $22.85 billion, up $740 million or 3.35 percent when compared to the same period last year. Loan loss expense increased by $168 million when compared with prior year.

Other revenue | “Other revenue for the twelve months was $11.39 billion, up $2.28 billion or 25 percent compared to 2012. This was due primarily to increased insurance revenue, fee and commission income, as well as higher gains on our foreign currency trading and investment book. Net fee and commission income increased 10 percent, due to increased account and transaction volumes in our retail and commercial portfolios, as well as, growth in our mutual funds and unit trust business” the company stated.

Expenses | “Salaries and staff benefits reflect a reduction of $126 million this year, as it includes a higher actuarially determined net credit of $1.19 billion in relation to our defined benefit pension, group life and health plans. The salaries and staff benefits expense, excluding the post retirement credit, increased by $1.06 billion or 12.22 percent year over year” the company reported. Other operating expenses grew much faster than income at 26 percent to reach $7.14 billion in the year.

Credit quality | “Non-performing loans at year end totalled $4.49 billion, reflecting a decrease of $60 million from prior year, and a decrease of $209 million from the previous quarter ended July 2013 as recoveries increased during the period. Total NPLs now represent 3.29 percent of total gross loans compared to 3.65 percent last year and 3.51 percent as at July, 2013. The Group’s aggregate loan loss provision as at October 31, 2013 was $4.5 billion, representing 100 percent coverage of the total nonperforming loans,” the Group’s management stated.

Balance sheet | Total assets increased year over year by $31 billion or 8.68 percent to $389 billion at October as the Group enjoyed growth in loan and deposit volumes over the period. Loans grew by $12.3 billion to close at $134.8 billion. Cash resources increased by $22 billion primarily as a result of the growth in deposits. Total customer liabilities (deposits, repo liabilities and policyholder’s funds) grew to $296 billion, an increase of $23 billion over last year.

Capital | Total shareholders’ equity grew to $72.8 billion, $5.2 billion above prior year.

Scotia Group has maintained its Buy Rated status as IC Insider projects earnings for 2014 to end up around $4.50. The stock, priced under $18, is already very cheap based on 2013 earnings. With the recently announced dividend of 40 cents per share, the yield is over 9 percent.