Of all of the shares on the FTSE 100, NatWest Group (LSE:NWG) might be the one which greatest combines development and earnings, I consider.

In keeping with Trading View, since October 2019, the banking inventory ranks thirty third for share price efficiency and — primarily based on its dividends paid since October 2023 — its yield is the nineteenth highest. Individually, these may not sound that spectacular. Nevertheless, when thought-about collectively, it may imply it’s a really perfect inventory for me to purchase.

However is it? Let’s have a look.

Taking nothing without any consideration

In fact, the very first thing to notice is that previous efficiency isn’t essentially an excellent information to what’s going to occur sooner or later.

And dividends are by no means assured.

Nevertheless, analysts expect the financial institution’s income to develop. These ‘experts’ are predicting earnings per share of 46.8p this 12 months (2024), which is forecast to extend to 48.3p (2025), and 55.6p (2026).

Based mostly on the 2024 determine, the financial institution at the moment has a really affordable price-to-earnings ratio of seven.6.

However that is just like different banking shares within the FTSE 100. And all 5 of them have been attractively priced for a while now. It makes me assume that sector as an entire is out of favour with UK buyers in the intervening time.  

By way of dividends, these identical analysts are forecasting a payout of 18.3p this 12 months. This suggests a yield of 5.1%, comfortably above the FTSE 100 common of three.8%. Wanting additional forward, the payout’s anticipated to be 19.2p in 2025, and 22.1p, in 2026.

If these estimates show to be right, by 2026, NatWest may have elevated its earnings by 16% and its dividend by 30%, in comparison with their 2023 ranges. With figures like these, there doesn’t seem like a lot to dislike concerning the financial institution.

Outlook

However there are dangers.

It seems to be as if we’re transitioning to a decrease rate of interest surroundings. Though this could cut back the chance of unhealthy loans, it should adversely influence the agency’s web curiosity margin.

Additionally, the financial institution derives most of its earnings from the UK. This makes it closely depending on the home financial system, which is struggling to develop in the intervening time.

The federal government’s additionally on the lookout for potential sources of income to assist fill a ‘black hole’ within the nation’s accounts. This makes me cautious that the Chancellor may goal Britain’s largest banks with some type of windfall tax or different levy.

My verdict

Nevertheless, NatWest seems to be in good condition.

It’s rising organically and thru acquisition. In July, it acquired the mortgage guide of Metro Financial institution for £2.5bn. A month earlier, it purchased the retail enterprise of Sainsbury‘s Financial institution.

And based on Refinitiv, 11 brokers fee the inventory as both a Sturdy Purchase or Purchase, 4 are impartial and two are advising their shoppers to Promote.

However as a lot as I stay a fan of NatWest, I don’t wish to make investments.

I have already got publicity to the sector by way of my shareholding in Barclays. Having two UK banks in my portfolio can be a bit too dangerous for me.