Commerzbank Boosts 2025 Profit Goal, Seeks €1 B Buyback After Strong Quarter

Commerzbank reported second-quarter net income of €462 million, down 14% from a year earlier but comfortably above analyst expectations of about €370 million. Revenue rose to €3.02 billion and operating profit reached €1.17 billion, while net interest income slipped to €2.06 billion. The common-equity Tier 1 ratio stood at 14.6%. Results were weighed by €534 million in restructuring charges linked to a previously announced plan to eliminate roughly 3,900 mostly domestic positions. Management is seeking to bolster efficiency and shareholder returns as Italy’s UniCredit, which has built a 20.2% stake, presses for a takeover of the German lender. Chief Executive Officer Bettina Orlopp said the bank is raising its 2025 net-profit target to about €2.5 billion, up from €2.4 billion, and is also lifting its net-interest-income outlook. Commerzbank has asked regulators to allow a share repurchase of up to €1 billion, its latest move to demonstrate confidence in a standalone strategy.