Australian & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ)

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. Overview

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ASX; ticker: ANZ) is a leading provider of banking and financial services, catering to retail, small business, corporate, and institutional clients.

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Docklands, Australia, ANZ delivers financial solutions in almost 30 markets and serves over 8.5 million customers throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific region.

Key business segments include ‘Australia Retail and Commercial’ (serves consumers, private banking clients, businesses of all sizes, and agricultural enterprises through various channels), the ‘Institutional’ segment (focusses on transaction banking, loans, and market solutions), the ‘New Zealand’ segment (provides retail and commercial banking services to customers in New Zealand), the ‘Pacific’ segment (offers financial products and services to customers in the Pacific Islands, including retail clients, small businesses, and government entities), and ‘Technology, Services, and Operations’ (supports the business with technology, operations, shared services, risk management, and corporate functions).

Why Trade Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ) Shares?

According to the FY 24 report, ANZ’s total revenue reached A$20.81 billion, slightly down from A$20.91 billion YY (year on year). The company faced inflationary pressures that increased expenses and narrowed loan margins, resulting in a cash profit for the year of A$6.73 billion, which fell short of the expected estimate of A$6.82 billion. Despite challenges, ANZ demonstrated resilience, with total shareholder returns reaching 27%. The bank’s customer base also grew by 84%, reaching approximately 850,000 new customers (compared to September 2023).

With a strong market position and a focus on long-term growth, ANZ remains a key player in the global financial sector, making it a Stock worth considering for investors seeking exposure to a leading financial institution in the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, the ANZ Stock is up nearly 6.0% year to date, following a 21.0% gain between 2023 and 2024.

What Influences the Price of ANZ?

• Earnings

Typically released every quarter, earnings reports deliver a snapshot (summary) of a company’s performance over a specific time period. The release includes figures related to revenue (often referred to as the company’s ‘top line’), income (‘bottom line’), and forward guidance provided by the company’s management team. This represents a ‘forward-looking statement’, offering projections on its future performance.

When an earnings report surpasses analysts’ estimates, it can prompt a rise in a company’s Share price, reflecting increased investor confidence. Conversely, an earnings report that falls short of consensus can lead to a lower Share price due to decreased investor confidence.

• Monetary Policy

As a major bank, the company’s profitability is closely tied to interest rates. Monetary policy established by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), including changes to interest rates, directly impacts ANZ's lending margins. The bank typically benefits from higher loan margins when interest rates rise, boosting revenue. Conversely, rate cuts can squeeze margins, potentially lowering profits. Both actions can impact the company’s Share price.

• Economic Conditions

The broader economic environment plays a significant role in determining ANZ's performance. During economic growth, demand for loans and financial services tends to increase, boosting the bank's revenues and potentially underpinning its Share price. However, in times of economic downturn or recession, increased loan defaults and less demand for credit can negatively affect ANZ's financial results, possibly weighing on the Stock’s performance.

• Regulatory Changes

Regulatory decisions and changes in government policy can significantly influence ANZ's operations and financial health. Increased regulation in the banking sector, particularly around capital requirements or lending practices, can raise operational costs and reduce profitability. Any regulatory developments that affect the banking industry in Australia or New Zealand can also directly impact ANZ's Stock price.

• Market Sentiment and Investor Confidence

Stock prices are often influenced by investor sentiment and market conditions. Positive news about ANZ's financial performance, strategic initiatives, or overall market conditions can boost investor confidence and increase the Stock price. Conversely, any negative news - such as lower-than-expected profits, leadership changes, or broader market downturns - can erode investor confidence, leading to possible declines in the Share price.

How To Trade Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ) CFDs?

With the ANZ Stock demonstrating outperformance, investors may monitor the company’s Share price for signs of support. However, before trading ANZ Share CFDs (Contracts for Differences), it is important to learn about trading the financial markets. With the FP Markets Academy, you can access easy-to-understand articles and videos that show how to use technical and fundamental analysis.

Functioning as leveraged financial trading instruments, CFDs allow investors to speculate and hedge across multiple asset classes without taking physical ownership (all CFDs are cash-settled transactions), including individual Stocks, such as ANZ.

Investing through CFDs is a straightforward process, involving two parties – a buyer who assumes a long position and a seller who assumes a short position – that agree to exchange the difference between the opening and closing prices of a trade. One of the key benefits of trading CFDs is the ability to trade on margin (leverage); this means the investor can control a larger position size for a fraction of the investment value.