Close Brothers Group (LON:CBG) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results

Close Brothers Group (LON:CBG) released its earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported GBX 47.50 earnings per share for the quarter, Digital Look Earnings reports. Close Brothers Group had a negative net margin of 2.50% and a negative return on equity of 2.03%.

Here are the key takeaways from Close Brothers Group’s conference call:

• Loan growth regained momentum, with underlying growth of 2% for FY2026 and 4% in the second half; all three divisions grew in the fourth quarter. Management expects FY2027 growth of 5%–10%, subject to market conditions.
• The cost-reduction program is ahead of schedule, delivering approximately £36 million of annualized savings versus a £25 million target. Close Brothers now expects to exceed £60 million of annualized savings by the end of FY2027 and achieve double-digit ROTE by FY2028.
• Capital and credit metrics remained resilient, with a 14.1% CET1 ratio, robust liquidity, and a 1.0% bad debt ratio below the 1.2% long-term average. Management expects credit quality to remain sound in FY2027, although Basel 3.1 is expected to reduce CET1 by about 80 basis points.
• FY2026 adjusted operating profit fell to £120 million from £144 million as income declined 6%, reflecting business repositioning, lower margins, and a smaller average loan book. Net interest margin is expected to decline by a further approximately 0.1% in FY2027 due to business mix changes.
• The board did not declare a final dividend for FY2026 because of continued uncertainty surrounding the FCA motor-finance redress scheme and related legal challenges. The provision remains approximately £320 million, with the ultimate cost still dependent on the outcome of the proceedings.

Close Brothers Group Price Performance

Shares of CBG stock traded down GBX 12.80 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting GBX 433. The company had a trading volume of 1,250,375 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,413,472. Close Brothers Group has a 52-week low of GBX 318.40 and a 52-week high of GBX 556.15. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is GBX 416.17 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 425.15. The company has a market capitalization of £652.62 million, a P/E ratio of -12.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.24.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded Close Brothers Group to a “sector perform” rating and lowered their price objective for the company from GBX 625 to GBX 470 in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of GBX 481.25.

Insider Buying and Selling at Close Brothers Group

In related news, insider Fiona McCarthy sold 1,626 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 426, for a total transaction of £6,926.76. Corporate insiders own 2.21% of the company’s stock.

Close Brothers Group Company Profile

Close Brothers Group plc, a merchant banking company, engages in the provision of financial services to small businesses and individuals in the United Kingdom. It operates through five segments: Commercial, Retail, Property, Asset Management, and Securities. The company offers banking services comprising of debt factoring, invoice discounting, asset-based lending; financing for SMEs, residential housing, transport, industrial equipment, renewable energy, motorcycle, used car, and commercial vehicle financing; insurance, refurbishment, and bridging financing, savings products for individuals and corporates, hire purchase, lease, and loan related services.