Woori Financial Group Inc (WF) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Profitability Amid ...

In This Article:

  • Net Income: KRW2,659.1 billion, a 9.1% YoY increase; Q3 net income at KRW903.6 billion.

  • Return on Equity (ROE): 10.82%.

  • Cost to Income Ratio: Below 40% for two consecutive quarters; Q3 at 39.6%.

  • Net Operating Revenue: KRW7,992.7 billion, a 6.6% YoY increase; Q3 at KRW2,712.2 billion.

  • Credit Costs: KRW1,254.6 billion, a 6.3% YoY increase; Q3 credit cost at KRW479.1 billion.

  • NPL Ratio: 0.55% for the Group; 0.21% for the bank.

  • NPL Coverage Ratio: 152% for the Group; 270% for the bank.

  • CET1 Ratio: Expected to be around 12% as of September 2024.

  • Net Interest Margin (NIM): 1.40% for the bank; 1.67% for the Group including card business.

  • Total Loans: KRW340 trillion, a 5% increase from June 2024.

  • Total Deposits: KRW327 trillion, a 5.5% increase from June 2024.

  • Non-Interest Income: KRW1,378.1 billion, a 53.2% YoY increase.

  • SG&A Expenses: KRW3,158.1 billion, a 3.4% YoY increase; Q3 SG&A at KRW1,057.1 billion.

  • Dividend: Cash dividend of KRW181 per share approved.

Release Date: October 25, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Woori Financial Group Inc (NYSE:WF) reported a 9.1% year-on-year increase in cumulative net income for the third quarter of 2024, reaching KRW2,659.1 billion.

  • The Group's return on equity (ROE) was 10.82%, indicating strong profitability.

  • The cost-to-income ratio remained below 40% for the second consecutive quarter, demonstrating effective cost management.

  • Noninterest income increased by 53.2% year-on-year, driven by favorable market conditions and significant profit growth from marketable securities.

  • The Group's CET1 ratio is expected to be around 12%, maintaining stability despite currency fluctuations.

Negative Points

  • Net income for Q3 2024 was KRW903.6 billion, a slight decrease compared to the previous quarter.

  • The net interest margin (NIM) declined by seven basis points in Q3, reflecting margin compression due to market interest rate changes.

  • Credit costs increased by 6.3% year-on-year, with a 17.1% quarter-on-quarter rise in Q3 due to high interest rates and real estate market restructuring.

  • The growth of core deposits was weak, impacted by high demand for time deposits amid expected rate cuts.

  • The Group faces uncertainties from geopolitical risks and potential economic slowdowns, which could impact future performance.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you explain why the CET1 ratio remained flat this quarter and if the year-end target of 12.2% is still feasible given the appreciation of the Korean won? A: The CET1 ratio remained at 12% due to the appreciation of the Korean won, which improved the capital ratio. Asset growth increased risk-weighted assets, maintaining the ratio at June-end levels. The Group aims to achieve the 12.2% target by focusing on asset management and pricing adjustments in corporate and household loans. The goal is to reach a CET1 ratio of 12.5% by the end of 2025.