Lloyds Banking Group PLC Reports NIM Beat, Stock Up 5 Percent

The Lloyds Banking Group PLC (ADR) (NYSE:LYG) (LON:LLOY) reported higher net interest margin and year-on-year improvement in net interest income, but a sequential drop in NII and a revenue miss have analysts divided over how to rate the stock.

Lloyds improves over last year, but drags behind last quarter

After heavy losses in the second half of 2013, The Lloyds Banking Group PLC (ADR) (NYSE:LYG) (LON:LLOY) has returned to profitability with pre-tax profits of £1.4 billion in 1Q14 (underlying profit of £1.8 billion). The combination of rising NIM (up 3 basis points from 4Q13) and weak loan growth that was even with 1Q13 but 1% below the previous quarter, 1Q14 NII grew 10% year on year but was down sequentially. Other income was soft...