HBL Announces First-Quarter 2026 Results with Rs6 Per Share Interim Dividend
Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, along with an interim cash dividend of Rs6 per share, equivalent to 60 percent. The announcement was made following a meeting of the bank’s Board of Directors held on April 17, 2026.
The results show that HBL continued to generate substantial earnings during the opening quarter of 2026, although consolidated profit after tax was slightly lower compared with the same period last year.
Consolidated Profit Stands at Rs16.15 Billion
According to HBL’s consolidated profit and loss statement, the bank recorded net mark-up income of Rs71.37 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared with Rs68.75 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.
Non-mark-up income also remained an important contributor to the bank’s overall performance. Total non-mark-up income reached approximately Rs20.50 billion, taking total income to Rs91.88 billion, compared with Rs90.36 billion a year earlier.
After accounting for non-mark-up expenses and credit loss allowances, HBL reported profit before taxation of Rs33.74 billion. After taxation of approximately Rs17.59 billion, consolidated profit after taxation stood at Rs16.15 billion, compared with Rs16.63 billion in the first quarter of 2025.
The bank’s consolidated earnings per share (EPS) came in at Rs11.00, compared with Rs11.32 in the same quarter last year.
Unconsolidated Profit Shows Modest Improvement
On a standalone basis, HBL delivered a somewhat different performance. The bank reported profit after taxation of Rs15.42 billion for the first quarter of 2026, up from Rs15.12 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.
Standalone net mark-up income increased to approximately Rs64.76 billion, compared with Rs62.83 billion a year earlier. Total income rose to Rs82.78 billion, from Rs80.86 billion.
Standalone EPS consequently improved to Rs10.51, compared with Rs10.30 in the first quarter of 2025.
Balance Sheet Remains Substantial
HBL’s consolidated statement of financial position shows total assets of approximately Rs8.11 trillion as of March 31, 2026, compared with Rs7.71 trillion at the end of December 2025.
The bank reported deposits and other accounts of approximately Rs5.39 trillion, while advances stood at about Rs2.03 trillion. Shareholders’ equity attributable to HBL shareholders was approximately Rs454.27 billion.
On a standalone basis, total assets were approximately Rs7.68 trillion, while deposits and other accounts stood at around Rs5.07 trillion.
Rs6 Dividend Announced for Shareholders
One of the key highlights of the announcement is HBL’s decision to declare an interim cash dividend of Rs6 per share, representing 60 percent. The company did not announce any bonus shares, right shares, or other corporate entitlement alongside the dividend.
The bank also announced that its share transfer books would remain closed from April 29 to April 30, 2026, inclusive, for determining shareholders entitled to the dividend.
Strong Start Despite Slight Consolidated Profit Decline
HBL’s first-quarter figures present a mixed but generally solid picture. While consolidated profit after tax and EPS were slightly below the levels recorded in the first quarter of 2025, the bank experienced growth in net mark-up income and standalone profitability.
The Rs6 per share interim dividend also provides a notable return to shareholders and reflects the bank’s continued ability to distribute earnings while maintaining a sizeable balance sheet.
Overall, HBL entered 2026 with strong income generation, substantial assets and deposits, and a clear commitment to shareholder returns. The first-quarter results will likely remain an important indicator of how the bank’s earnings develop during the remainder of the year.
