Why is the ANZ share price trailing the other ASX big four banks today?

ANZ investors are getting important insights into Suncorp Bank today.

| More on:
A man sits in deep thought with a pen held to his lips as he ponders his computer screen with a laptop open next to him on his desk in a home office environment.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

It's been a disappointing day for the ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price so far because it has underperformed the other major ASX bank shares.

At the time of writing, ANZ shares are up close to 0.8%. Not bad.

However, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price is up 2.8%, the Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price is up 1.7% and the National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) share price is up 1.6%.

CBA result

Today's big news for the banking sector is the CBA result. The market may extrapolate some of the trends seen in the FY23 result and apply them to ANZ, Westpac and NAB as well.

Arrears are climbing, but not soaring. The percentage of CBA's home loans that were at least 90 days in arrears was 0.43% in December 2022 and rose to 0.47% in June 2023.

It also said that its total impairment provisions increased to $5.95 billion at June 2023, up from $5.35 billion at June 2022. This reflected the "impact from ongoing cost of living pressures and rising interest rates on both the consumer and corporate portfolios."

The biggest ASX bank share also said that its net interest margin (NIM) worsened by 5 basis points (0.05%) compared to the first half of FY23. However, the 2.07% NIM did represent an increase of 17 basis points compared to FY22.

CBA decided to declare an annual dividend per share of $4.50, which represented an increase of 17% compared to FY22.

Why is the ANZ share price underperforming?

Investors may also be looking at the Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) result which was announced today. ANZ is currently in the process of trying to buy the banking operations of Suncorp.

Suncorp said that its bank managed to increase net profit after tax (NPAT) by 27.7% to $470 million thanks to "strong volume growth and higher margin". The NIM increased by 3 basis points to 1.96%, which was a smaller margin rise year over year than CBA.

Suncorp said that its NIM rose because of "strategic deposit pricing", but it was partially offset by "competitive pressures in home lending pricing and increased funding costs."

There was a decrease in the cost-to-income ratio to 51.8%, which was an improvement from 59% thanks to a combination of asset growth and "disciplined cost management".

Suncorp also said that its home lending portfolio grew by $4.6 billion, or 9.1%. The ASX financial share said that its loan book is maintaining "high credit quality and is conservatively positioned." Business lending grew by 5.9% thanks to commercial lending growth across several industries.

In terms of the Suncorp Bank's outlook, growth is expected to slow because of "significantly tighter monetary conditions" and it's aiming for home loan growth of around the same level of the system, meaning slower growth is expected. If this ends up being a future division, then a weaker outlook might impact the ANZ share price.

Suncorp also said that due to competition in the banking space for both lending and deposits, NIM is expected to be at the bottom of its target range of between 1.85% to 1.95%. The cost-to-income ratio is expected to rise to around the mid-50s due to inflation.

Is the ANZ merger still on?

Due to the ACCC not granting merger authorisation, Suncorp says that progress on separating the bank continues. It's expecting separation and other costs to increase from $500 million to between $575 million to $600 million.

Suncorp also said that if all regulatory and government approvals are received, completion is now expected in the middle of the 2024 calendar year.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with this and ANZ shares as the appeal continues.

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the 'five best ASX stocks' for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Bank Shares

Hologram of a man next to a human robot, symbolising artificial intelligence.
Bank Shares

How artificial intelligence could transform the banking industry

ANZ describes the move as “the single-biggest change program” the bank will undertake over the next few years.

Read more »

A man in a business shirt and tie takes a wide leap over a large steel trap with jagged teeth.
Bank Shares

5.75% yield: Are ANZ shares a dividend trap?

ANZ's dividend currently beats out its own term deposits.

Read more »

A woman sits in a cafe wearing a polka dotted shirt and holding a latte in one hand while reading something on a laptop that is sitting on the table in front of her
Bank Shares

Here's the earnings forecast out to 2029 for CBA shares

How much earnings could CBA generate in the coming years?

Read more »

A man in a suit smiles at the yellow piggy bank he holds in his hand.
Bank Shares

CBA shares hit a new $176 record high. Too late to buy?

What can stop this bank now?

Read more »

man thinking about whether to invest in bitcoin
Bank Shares

Is this the right time to invest in Westpac shares after the interest rate cut?

Should investors bank on rate cuts helping Westpac?

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her hand to her mouth and a contemplative smile on her face as she reads about the performance of Allkem shares on her computer
Bank Shares

How did ASX bank shares react to the RBA decision?

The Reserve Bank of Australia just reduced interest rates by 0.25% in the second cut for 2025.

Read more »

A young woman sits at her desk in deep contemplation with her hand to her chin while seriously considering information she is reading on her laptop.
Dividend Investing

Dividends from ASX 200 bank shares 'looking very stretched': expert

The banks have always been a favourite choice among ASX dividend investors. But the outlook ain't great.

Read more »

A pink piggybank sits in a pile of autumn leaves.
Bank Shares

How much higher can the CBA share price rise?

One fund manager has given their view on the biggest bank.

Read more »