By Kosaku Narioka
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is scheduled to report third-quarter results on Monday. Here is what you need to know:
NET PROFIT FORECAST: Mitsubishi UFJ's net profit is expected to have more than doubled from a year earlier to 259.48 billion yen ($1.77 billion) for the three months ended Dec. 31, according to a poll of analysts by FactSet. That would compare with net profit of Y112.08 billion in the year-earlier period.
The stock has risen 15% so far in 2024 through Thursday, following a 4.5% drop in the October-December period. Shares closed at Y1,389.0 on Thursday.
WHAT TO WATCH:
--First-half net interest income fell 27% from a year earlier to Y1.230 trillion due to a high base in the year-earlier period thanks to one-off gains. Investors will be focusing on any growth in the company's primary source of earnings, as loan-interest rates have risen.
--Investors will watch for any losses from the company's trading of fixed-income securities, as bond markets have been volatile globally amid speculation of central-bank moves in recent months.
--In November, Mitsubishi UFJ maintained its net profit guidance of Y1.300 trillion for the year ending March. Investors will pay attention to any changes the management may make to the guidance.
Write to Kosaku Narioka at kosaku.narioka@wsj.com
