DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

Danish bank Danske Bank A/S (DANSKE.KO) Thursday said it expects loan impairment charges for its core business to come down in the current year, as it posted growing fourth-quarter net profit from a year earlier, helped by declining loan losses.

 
   MAIN FACTS: 

-Fourth-quarter net profit rose to DKK1.15 billion from DKK200 million a year earlier, against analysts' expectations for DKK1.23 billion.

-Loan impairment charges narrowed to DKK2.62 billion from DKK4.79 billion against expectations for DKK2.82 billion.

-Net interest income rose to DKK6.20 billion from DKK6.18 billion against expectations for DKK6.23 billion.

-In line with expectations, Danske Bank didn't propose any dividend for 2012.

-Given the persistently low interest rates and low economic growth, the Group expects earnings before impairment charges in 2013 to remain at the 2012 level.

-Loan impairment charges for core activities are expected in 2013 to fall slightly below the level in 2012.

-The group expects the net profit for 2013 to range from DKK7.5 billion-10 billion, corresponding to a return on equity of 5.5%-7% after tax. Earnings per share is expected to increase to DKK7.5-10.0.

-Shares closed Wednesday at DKK104.50.

Write to Gustav Sandstrom at gustav.sandstrom@dowjones.com

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