0714 GMT - China Merchants Bank could provide higher shareholder returns this year, analysts at UOB Kay Hian write in a note. Preliminary 2024 earnings show that its book value per share grew strongly on-year, pointing to a significant boost in its capital ratio and signaling potential upside to its dividend policy, they write. The bank has demonstrated improving operating performance and balance sheet expansion, with growth seen in total assets and retail loans, they note. UOB Kay Hian expects China Merchants Bank's loan growth to improve this year, driven by increasing retail loans, while fee income could rebound further due to recovering capital market activity. UOB Kay Hian retains a buy rating for the stock, with a target price of HK$49.00. China Merchants Bank's shares are 1.1% higher at HK$41.65. (kimberley.kao@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 16, 2025 02:14 ET (07:14 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
免責聲明：投資有風險，本文並非投資建議，以上內容不應被視為任何金融產品的購買或出售要約、建議或邀請，作者或其他用戶的任何相關討論、評論或帖子也不應被視為此類內容。本文僅供一般參考，不考慮您的個人投資目標、財務狀況或需求。TTM對信息的準確性和完整性不承擔任何責任或保證，投資者應自行研究並在投資前尋求專業建議。