Germany's Commerzbank nets profit as UniCredit circles

Frankfurt, Germany, Feb 10, 2026 (AFP)
German lender Commerzbank reported Tuesday better-than-expected profit for 2025 and vowed to return more cash to shareholders, as it battles to fend off a potential hostile takeover from Italy's UniCredit.
Germany's second-biggest bank posted net profit of 2.6 billion euros ($3.1 billion), beating its guidance of 2.5 billion euros and just shy of a record set last year, despite restructuring costs associated with plans to cut thousands of jobs.
The bank also said it would propose boosting its dividend to 1.10 euros per share from 65 cents, and buy back up to 540 million euros' worth of its own shares to bolster their market price.
"2025 marked an outstanding year of success for Commerzbank, and we are committed to sharing this achievement with our investors," chief executive Bettina Orlopp said in a statement.
"In total, we are returning 2.7 billion euros in capital, which is even slightly more than we had committed to deliver," she said.
Commerzbank shares were up about 1.5 percent in Frankfurt after the results were released, outperforming a slight decline for the broader DAX stock index.
The announced buyback is the sixth since 2023 and comes as the bank is trying to fend off a bid from UniCredit.
To increase the cost of any takeover, Commerzbank is looking to boost its share price.
The Italian lender currently holds a 29 percent stake in Commerzbank, just below the thirty percent threshold that would require a mandatory takeover offer for the rest of the bank.
Unions and politicians in Germany have vowed to resist the hostile bid, and Andrea Orcel, UniCredit's boss, acknowledged in September that the German government's attitude would be "critical" for determining UniCredit's next move.
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Sumber : AFP