ANZ Banking Group (ANZ) is the nation’s third-largest bank by market capitalisation, and is among the top 50 banks in the world.

The group provides a variety of banking and financial products and services to around 8 million customers, and employs 48,000 people worldwide.

ANZ operates in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and America. In recent years the group's strategy has shifted to become a super-regional bank. To this end, the bank is aiming for between 25-30% of its earnings to come from its Asia, Pacific, Europe and America Division (APEA) by 2017, with the major focus being the high growth Asian region.

China manufacturing in expansion mode

For much of the early part of 2012 the discussion surrounding China was whether it was heading for a hard landing or a soft landing. The fears of a hard landing abated by the end of 2012's second half, helped by China's central bank adopting an easing bias towards monetary policy.

Measures including lower interest rates and targeted fiscal stimulus appear to be flowing through to China's manufacturing sector, which is beginning to expand after an extended period of contraction. Last month, the HSBC Flash PMI showed factory activity accelerated to a two year high in January.

A pickup in manufacturing activity is important for ANZ as it implies Chinese companies are taking advantage of easier credit conditions and borrowing money in order to expand.

What to look for in trading update

ANZ's FY12 results revealed a 2.6% increase in FY12 cash profit to $5.75 billion. The APEA strategy also continues to be a key driver for ANZ's overall business.

In FY12 this region's income comprised 21% of overall profit, putting the group on track to achieve its aim for APEA to contribute 25% – 30% of overall profit by 2017.

Today CBA reported a 6% on-year rise in 1H13 cash profit to $3.78 billion. Impressively, the result came on the back of a 6% increase in revenue.

The group's net interest margin rose 4 basis points from the previous half, in a sign wholesale funding pressures are easing for the four majors. CBA's first half results are a healthy indicator for the industry, and we expect ANZ to announce a similarly positive result when it provides a trading update for the first quarter later this week.

Outlook

ANZ's FY12 results provide it with a good base to tackle FY13, and we expect some good news in its first quarter trading update. We will look for an improvement in interest margin and asset quality, as well as a cash profit driven by good cost control and evidence of top line growth.

The group's exposure to Asia will continue to be an important earnings driver, and the benefits of this leverage will translate to further share price appreciation in our view.

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ANZ Bank – Asia Helping Drive Growth is a post from: Australian Stock Report Share Tips

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