NatWest Group reported a 29% rise in second-quarter operating profit before tax to 2.285 billion pounds, driven by a 12.5% increase in total income to 4.504 billion pounds. Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders grew 29.7% to 1.603 billion pounds, with basic earnings per share rising to 20.1 pence. The British banking and insurance holding company lifted its fiscal 2026 total income excluding notable items outlook to around 17.9 billion pounds, up from a prior expectation at the top end of a 17.2 billion to 17.6 billion pound range, and announced an interim dividend of 12.0 pence per share. NatWest also said it will consider share buybacks from full year 2026, six months earlier than previously planned, while maintaining its 2028 target for return on tangible equity above 18% and customer asset and liability growth above 4% annually from end-2025.
NatWest Group PLCQ2 profit up 29%, raised 2026 income outlook, and announced earlier buybacks and interim dividend.