NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) is the last cab off the rank in the FTSE 100 banks' results season.
“While the outlook is expected to be challenging over the next nine months, the main focus is expected to be on lending patterns to not only consumers, but business more broadly. Cash flow should not be a problem given that the bank will receive the €6.4bn proceeds of the deal to sell its Irish loan books to Permanent TSB, which will reduce the value of its assets and will go to help boost its capital position further,” suggested Michael Hewson at CMC Markets.
Also chiming in with first-quarter results is drugs giant AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN), where “top-line momentum remains key for investors”, according to UBS.
The Swiss bank also thinks investors will be hoping for good news from the company’s growth drivers – Tagrisso, Lynparza and Imfinzi – after a disappointing showing in the final quarter of 2021.
“Focus will revolve also on the rare disease portfolio brought in through Alexion acquisition, especially on Ultomiris patient conversion pace from Soliris. We anticipate questions on price reduction and China volumes for Tagrisso,” UBS said.