Royal Bank of Canada Reports Fourth Quarter and 2017 Results

All amounts are in Canadian dollars and are based on our audited Annual and unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the year and quarter ended October 31, 2017 and related notes prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Our 2017 Annual Report (which includes our audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Management's Discussion & Analysis), our 2017 Annual Information Form and our Supplementary Financial Information are available on our website at: http://www.rbc.com/investorrelations.

TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2017 /CNW/ - Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) today reported record net income of $11,469 million for the year ended October 31, 2017, up $1,011 million or 10% from the prior year. Results were driven by strong earnings in Personal & Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, Capital Markets and Investor & Treasury Services, partially offset by lower earnings in Insurance. Results also reflect strong credit quality, with a provision for credit losses (PCL) ratio of 21 basis points (bps).

As of October 31, 2017, our Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio was 10.9%, up 10 bps from the prior year. In addition, we increased our quarterly dividend twice during 2017, for an annual dividend increase of 7%.

"We had a great year in 2017, with record earnings of $11.5 billion, driven by robust growth across our businesses and a disciplined approach to risk management. We also returned a record $8.2 billion of capital in dividends and share buybacks, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to shareholders while delivering on our growth strategies," said Dave McKay, RBC President and CEO. "As we reimagine the role we play in our customers' lives, we are accelerating our digital investments and finding new ways beyond traditional banking to add value to our clients, employees and communities."

2017 Business Segment Performance

• 11% earnings growth in Personal & Commercial Banking. Excluding our share of the gain related to the sale of the U.S. operations of Moneris, which was $212 million (before- and after-tax), earnings increased $359 million or 7%⁽³⁾, mainly due to volume growth of 6%, which is primarily attributable to solid growth in deposits and residential mortgages. Higher fee-based revenue in Canada largely benefited from equity market performance and strong net sales. Lower PCL also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by higher costs in support of business growth, reflecting ongoing investments in technology;
• 25% earnings growth in Wealth Management, driven by growth in average fee-based client assets reflecting positive equity market performance and higher net interest income, mainly in the U.S., resulting from higher short-term interest rates and volume growth. These factors were partially offset by higher variable compensation on improved results and increased costs in support of business growth;
• 19% lower earnings in Insurance. Excluding the after-tax gain of $235 million from the sale of our home and auto insurance manufacturing business to Aviva Canada Inc., earnings were up 9%⁽³⁾, mainly due to higher favourable annual actuarial assumption updates, and business growth mainly in Canadian Insurance, partially offset by lower earnings from new U.K. annuity contracts and the reduction in earnings associated with the sale of our home and auto insurance manufacturing business in the prior year;
• 21% earnings growth in Investor & Treasury Services, reflecting higher results across all major businesses driven by higher funding and liquidity earnings, increased results from asset services business, and volume growth in client deposits. These factors were partially offset by higher investment in technology initiatives; and,
• 11% earnings growth in Capital Markets despite a difficult trading environment characterized by low volatility and subdued client activity. Higher results in Corporate and Investment Banking and Global Markets from increased fee-based revenue, solid trading results and lower PCL, largely in the oil & gas sector. These factors were partially offset by higher staff-related costs and the impact of foreign exchange translation.

Q4 2017 Performance

Earnings of $2,837 million were up $294 million or 12% from a year ago, as higher results in Personal & Commercial Banking, Capital Markets, Wealth Management, and Insurance were partially offset by lower earnings in Investor & Treasury Services.

Earnings were up $41 million or 1% from last quarter, largely due to stronger earnings in Insurance, Personal & Commercial Banking, and Wealth Management. These factors were partially offset by lower earnings in Capital Markets and Investor & Treasury Services.

Q4 2017 Business Segment Performance

Personal & Commercial Banking net income of $1,404 million, increased $129 million or 10% compared to last year. Canadian Banking net income of $1,360 million increased $114 million or 9% compared to last year, primarily due to volume growth and higher spreads given the impact of recent Bank of Canada rate hikes. Higher fee-based revenue and lower PCL also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by higher costs in support of business growth, reflecting ongoing investments in technology. Caribbean & U.S. Banking net income of $44 million increased $15 million compared to last year.

Compared to last quarter, Personal & Commercial Banking net income increased $5 million. Canadian Banking net income increased $11 million or 1% mainly reflecting higher spreads and volume growth across most businesses, lower PCL and lower staff-related costs, including severance. These factors were partially offset by higher costs in support of business growth and lower fee-based revenue. Caribbean & U.S. Banking net income decreased $6 million compared to the prior quarter.

Wealth Management net income of $491 million increased $95 million or 24% compared to last year, largely due to growth in average fee-based client assets in both Canadian Wealth Management and U.S. Wealth Management (including City National), reflecting positive equity market performance. Higher net interest income mainly in U.S. Wealth Management (including City National) reflected the impact from both rising U.S. short-term interest rates and volume growth, benefitting from increased client-facing staff and new locations. Lower PCL also contributed. These factors were partially offset by higher variable compensation on improved results and higher costs in support of business growth.

Compared to last quarter, net income increased $5 million or 1%, largely due to higher net interest income, mainly in the U.S. resulting from volume growth and the impact of higher U.S. short-term interest rates, and higher average fee-based client assets reflecting positive equity market performance. These factors were partially offset by higher costs in support of business growth.

Insurance net income of $265 million increased $37 million or 16% from a year ago, primarily due to higher favourable annual actuarial assumption updates largely reflecting changes in credit and discount rates and favourable mortality experience, mainly in the U.K. This was partially offset by lower earnings from new U.K. annuity contracts, consistent with a general slowdown in the U.K. longevity transactions market.

Compared to last quarter, net income increased $104 million or 65% driven by the timing of favourable annual actuarial assumption updates, which largely reflects the changes in credit and discount rates and favourable mortality experience, mainly in the U.K.

Investor & Treasury Services net income of $156 million decreased $18 million or 10% from last year, largely reflecting higher investment in technology initiatives and lower funding and liquidity earnings.

Compared to last quarter, net income decreased $22 million or 12% mainly due to higher investment in technology initiatives and decreased results from our asset services business driven by a reduction in client activity. These factors were partially offset by higher funding and liquidity earnings. 

Capital Markets net income of $584 million increased $102 million or 21% compared to last year despite a difficult trading environment characterized by low volatility and subdued client activity.  Higher earnings were largely driven by PCL recoveries, higher results in Corporate and Investment Banking, a lower effective tax rate and strong fixed income origination. These factors were partially offset by higher costs related to changes in the timing of deferred compensation and the impact of foreign exchange translation.

Compared to last quarter, net income decreased $27 million or 4%, largely driven by lower trading revenue across most regions driven by low volatility and subdued client activity.  Earnings were also impacted by lower M&A and equity origination activity. These factors were partly offset by lower PCL, and higher results from Municipal Banking in the U.S.

Corporate Support net loss was $63 million in the current quarter, largely reflecting net unfavourable tax adjustments, severance and related charges, and charges associated with our real estate portfolio. Net loss was $12 million last year, mainly due to unfavourable tax adjustments, partially offset by asset/liability management activities.

Capital – As at October 31, 2017, Basel III CET1 ratio was 10.9%, unchanged from last quarter, mainly reflecting internal capital generation, fully offset by the regulatory floor adjustment and over $3 billion of share repurchases.

Credit Quality – Total PCL of $234 million decreased $124 million or 35% from a year ago, mainly in Capital Markets reflecting lower provisions including higher recoveries in the oil & gas and real estate & related sectors. Compared to last quarter, PCL decreased $86 million or 27% mainly in Capital Markets due to recoveries in the oil & gas and real estate & related sectors. Total PCL ratio was 17 bps, which improved 10 bps compared to last year and 6 bps compared to last quarter underpinned by an improved backdrop in the oil & gas sector and continued low unemployment levels.

 

 

Q4 2017 vs. Q4 2016

Net income of $1,404 million increased $129 million or 10% compared to the prior year, largely due to volume growth of 6% and lower PCL. These factors were partially offset by higher costs, including costs in support of business growth.

Total revenue increased $190 million or 5% from the prior year, mainly due to volume growth of 6%. Higher fee-based revenue primarily attributable to higher balances driving higher mutual fund distribution fees also contributed to the increase.

NIM increased 2 bps.

PCL decreased $18 million or 6%, with the PCL ratio improving 3 bps, largely due to lower provisions in our Canadian lending portfolios. This was partially offset by higher provisions in the Caribbean.

Non-interest expense increased $47 million or 3%, primarily attributable to higher costs in support of business growth mainly reflecting ongoing investments in technology, including digital initiatives, and higher marketing costs. Higher staff-related costs also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by continued benefits from our efficiency management activities.

Q4 2017 vs. Q3 2017

Net income increased $5 million from the prior quarter, mainly due to higher spreads, volume growth of 2% and lower staff-related costs, including severance. These factors were partially offset by lower fee-based revenue, and higher marketing costs in support of business growth.

 

Q4 2017 vs. Q4 2016

Net income increased $114 million or 9% compared to a year ago, largely due to volume growth of 7%. Higher spreads and lower PCL also contributed to the increase. These factors were partially offset by higher costs, including costs in support of business growth.

Total revenue increased $189 million or 5%, mainly due to volume growth of 7% and higher spreads. Higher balances driving higher mutual fund distribution fees also contributed to the increase.

NIM increased 2 bps mainly due to higher spreads in our deposit portfolio.

PCL decreased $25 million or 9%, with the PCL ratio improving 4 bps, due to lower provisions in our personal and commercial lending portfolios, as well as lower write-offs in our credit cards portfolios.

Non-interest expense increased $62 million or 4%, primarily attributable to higher costs in support of business growth mainly reflecting ongoing investments in technology, including digital initiatives, and higher marketing costs. Higher staff-related costs also contributed to the increase.  These factors were partially offset by continued benefits from our efficiency management activities.

Q4 2017 vs. Q3 2017

Net income increased $11 million or 1% from the prior quarter, mainly due to higher spreads, volume growth of 2% across most businesses, lower PCL, and lower staff-related costs, including severance.  These factors were partially offset by seasonally higher marketing costs in support of business growth and lower fee-based revenue.

 

 

Q4 2017 vs. Q4 2016

Net income increased $95 million or 24% from a year ago, largely reflecting growth in average fee-based client assets, higher net interest income, lower PCL, and improved transaction revenue.  These factors were partially offset by higher variable compensation on improved results and increased costs in support of business growth.

Total revenue increased $221 million or 9%, mainly due to higher average fee-based client assets reflecting capital appreciation and net sales and higher net interest income reflecting the impact from higher interest rates and volume growth.

PCL decreased $22 million as the prior year included provisions related to U.S. Wealth Management (including City National).

Non-interest expense increased $111 million or 6%, primarily due to higher variable compensation on improved results, and increased costs in support of business growth mainly reflecting higher staff-related costs in the U.S. and ongoing investments in technology, including digital initiatives, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange translation.

Q4 2017 vs. Q3 2017

Net income increased $5 million or 1% from the prior quarter, largely due to higher net interest income mainly in the U.S. resulting from volume growth and the impact of higher U.S. interest rates, and higher average fee-based client assets reflecting capital appreciation and net sales.  This was partially offset by higher variable compensation on improved results and higher costs in support of business growth, mainly reflecting higher staff-related costs in the U.S. and ongoing investments in technology, including digital initiatives.

 

Q4 2017 vs. Q4 2016

Net income increased $37 million or 16% from a year ago, primarily due to higher favourable annual actuarial assumption updates.  This factor was partially offset by lower earnings from new U.K. annuity contracts.

Total revenue increased $789 million or 96%, mainly due to the change in fair value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities, group annuity sales growth and the impact of restructured international life contracts, all of which are largely offset in PBCAE.  These factors were partially offset by lower revenue from new U.K. annuity contracts.

PBCAE increased $740 million, largely reflecting the change in fair value of investments backing our policyholder liabilities, growth in the group annuity business and the impact of restructured international life contracts, all of which are largely offset in revenue.  These factors were partially offset by higher favourable annual actuarial assumption updates largely reflecting changes in credit and discount rates and favourable mortality experience, mainly in the U.K.

Non-interest expense increased $2 million or 1%, compared to the prior year.

Q4 2017 vs. Q3 2017

Net income increased $104 million or 65% from the prior quarter, mainly due to favourable annual actuarial assumption updates largely reflecting changes in credit and discount rates and favourable mortality experience, mainly in the U.K.

 

Q4 2017 vs. Q4 2016

Net income decreased $18 million or 10% from a year ago, largely driven by higher investment in technology initiatives and lower funding and liquidity earnings.

Total revenue decreased $2 million, mainly reflecting lower funding and liquidity revenue, largely offset by increased revenue from our asset services business driven by improved market conditions and higher client activity.

Non-interest expense increased $21 million or 6%, largely reflecting higher investment in technology initiatives to enhance our client platforms.

Q4 2017 vs. Q3 2017

Net income decreased $22 million or 12% from last quarter, mainly due to higher investment in technology initiatives and decreased results from our asset services business driven by a reduction in client activity. These factors were partially offset by higher funding and liquidity earnings.

 

 

Q4 2017 vs. Q4 2016

Net income increased $102 million or 21% from a year ago, largely driven by lower PCL, higher results in Corporate and Investment Banking, a lower effective tax rate due to changes in earnings mix and improved fixed income origination in Global Markets. These factors were partially offset by higher costs related to changes in the timing of deferred compensation and the impact of foreign exchange translation.

Total revenue increased $61 million or 3%, mainly due to higher equity trading revenue across most regions, increased lending revenue largely in Canada, and higher revenue from Municipal Banking in the U.S. These factors were partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange translation, decreased fixed income trading revenue across most regions, and lower equity origination largely in the U.S.

PCL decreased $89 million, due to lower provisions including higher recoveries mainly in the oil & gas and real estate & related sectors.

Non-interest expense increased $71 million or 6%, mainly driven by higher costs related to changes in the timing of deferred compensation.

Q4 2017 vs. Q3 2017

Net income decreased $27 million or 4% from the prior quarter mainly due to lower fixed income and equity trading revenue across most regions, decreased M&A activity largely in Canada, and lower equity origination activity in North America. These factors were partly offset by lower PCL mainly due to recoveries in the oil & gas and real estate & related sectors, and higher results from Municipal Banking in the U.S.

 

Due to the nature of activities and consolidation adjustments reported in this segment, we believe that a comparative period analysis is not relevant. The following identifies material items affecting the reported results in each period.

Total revenue and income taxes (recoveries) in each period in Corporate Support include the deduction of the teb adjustments related to the gross-up of income from Canadian taxable corporate dividends and the U.S. tax credit investment business recorded in Capital Markets. The amount deducted from revenue was offset by an equivalent increase in income taxes (recoveries).

The teb amount for the three months ended October 31, 2017 was $225 million, $107 million in the prior quarter and $115 million last year. For further discussion, refer to the How we measure and report our business segments section of our 2017 Annual Report.

The following identifies the material items, other than the teb impacts noted previously, affecting the reported results in each period.

Q4 2017

Net loss was $63 million, largely reflecting net unfavourable tax adjustments, severance and related charges, and charges associated with our real estate portfolio.

Q3 2017

Net loss was $39 million, largely reflecting severance costs.

Q4 2016

Net loss was $12 million, largely reflecting unfavourable tax adjustments, partially offset by asset/liability management activities.

Key performance and non-GAAP measures

Additional information about these and other key performance and non-GAAP measures can be found under the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section of our 2017 Annual Report.

Return on Equity

We measure and evaluate the performance of our consolidated operations and each business segment using a number of financial metrics, such as net income and ROE. ROE does not have a standardized meaning under GAAP. We use ROE as a measure of return on total capital invested in our business. The following table provides a summary of our ROE calculations:

 

Non-GAAP Measures

Results and measures excluding the specified items outlined below are non-GAAP measures:

• Our share of a gain related to the sale by our payment processing joint venture Moneris of its U.S. operations to Vantiv, Inc. in Q1 2017, which was $212 million (before- and after-tax) and recorded in Personal & Commercial Banking.
• A gain from the sale of our home and auto insurance manufacturing business, RBC General Insurance Company, to Aviva Canada Inc. in Q3 2016, which was $287 million ($235 million after-tax) and recorded in Insurance.

Given the nature and purpose of our management reporting framework, we use and report certain non-GAAP financial measures, which are not defined, do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP, and may not be comparable with similar information disclosed by other financial institutions. We believe that excluding these specified items from our results is more reflective of our ongoing operating results, will provide readers with a better understanding of management's perspective on our performance, and enhance the comparability of our comparative periods. For further information, refer to the Key performance and non-GAAP measures section of our 2017 Annual Report.

The following tables provide calculations of our business segment results and measures excluding these specified items for the years ended October 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

From time to time, we make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation. We may make forward-looking statements in this Earnings Release, in filings with Canadian regulators or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in reports to shareholders and in other communications. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals, and include our President and Chief Executive Officer's statements. The forward-looking information contained in this Earnings Release is presented for the purpose of assisting the holders of our securities and financial analysts in understanding our financial position and results of operations as at and for the periods ended on the dates presented, our financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "foresee", "forecast", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "goal", "plan" and "project" and similar expressions of future or conditional verbs such as "will", "may", "should", "could" or "would".

By their very nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, which give rise to the possibility that our predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct and that our financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors – many of which are beyond our control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict – include: credit, market, liquidity and funding, insurance, operational, regulatory compliance, strategic, reputation, legal and regulatory environment, competitive and systemic risks and other risks discussed in the risks sections of our 2017 Annual Report; including global uncertainty and volatility, elevated Canadian housing prices and household indebtedness, information technology and cyber risk, regulatory change, technological innovation and new entrants, global environmental policy and climate change, changes in consumer behaviour, the end of quantitative easing, the business and economic conditions in the geographic regions in which we operate, the effects of changes in government fiscal, monetary and other policies, tax risk and transparency and environmental and social risk.

We caution that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect our results. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to us, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Material economic assumptions underlying the forward looking-statements contained in this Earnings Release are set out in the Economic, market and regulatory review and outlook section and for each business segment under the Strategic priorities and Outlook headings in our 2017 Annual Report. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

Additional information about these and other factors can be found in the risks sections of our 2017 Annual Report.

Information contained in or otherwise accessible through the websites mentioned does not form part of this Earnings Release. All references in this Earnings Release to websites are inactive textual references and are for your information only.

ACCESS TO QUARTERLY RESULTS MATERIALS

Interested investors, the media and others may review this quarterly Earnings Release, quarterly results slides, supplementary financial information and our 2017 Annual Report to Shareholders on our website at rbc.com/investorrelations.

Quarterly conference call and webcast presentation

Our quarterly conference call is scheduled for Wednesday November 29, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. (EST) and will feature a presentation about our fourth quarter and 2017 results by RBC executives. It will be followed by a question and answer period with analysts.

Interested parties can access the call live on a listen-only basis at: www.rbc.com/investorrelations/ir_events_presentations.html or by telephone (416-340-2217, 866-696-5910, passcode 3708473#). Please call between 7:50 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. (EST).

Management's comments on results will be posted on RBC website shortly following the call. A recording will be available by 5:00 p.m. (EST) from November 29, 2017 until February 22, 2018 at rbc.com/investorrelations/quarterly-financial-statements.html  or by telephone (905-694-9451 or 800-408-3053, passcode 3982468#).

ABOUT RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 80,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 35 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.‎

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/

Trademarks used in this earnings release include the LION & GLOBE Symbol, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA and RBC which are trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada used by Royal Bank of Canada and/or by its subsidiaries under license. All other trademarks mentioned in this earnings release, which are not the property of Royal Bank of Canada, are owned by their respective holders.

SOURCE Royal Bank of Canada

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