Update Handelsbanken – HOLD
Handelsbanken Update:
2018 was on the surface a solid year for Handelsbanken. According to the 2018 annual report, operating profit increased by +5% and net income by +8%, top line by +5%. ROE was 12,8% which is below my assumed 15% but still a remarkably good number for a large bank.
Just looking at the bottom line, the first quarter of Handelsbanken looks great: Net income up +19%, operating profit up +18%. However top line only grew at +4% (vs. Q1 2018).
However this is solely a function of the fact that the bank reversed their provision into the Oktogonen pension fund for employees which they clearly state in the quarterly report:
