BNP Paribas results surprisingly good

France’s biggest bank, BNP Paribas, has posted first-quarter profits well ahead of analysts’ forecasts.

That was thanks to higher earnings at its high-street and investment banking operations.

Net profit was 1.56 billion euros – 21 percent down on the same period last year – but a marked improvement on the previous quarter’s net loss of 1.37 billion euros.

BNP Paribas’ shares rose 7.6 percent in reaction.

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tags: Banking, France