Comerica 2Q Profit Up 37%, Sterling Swings To Surprise 2Q Loss

Comerica Inc.'s (CMA) second-quarter earnings rose 37% as the Dallas-based bank set aside a sharply lower amount to cover potential loan losses. Meanwhile, Sterling Bancshares Inc. (SBIB) swung to a surprise second-quarter loss as the Houston-based lender saw declining revenue and a loss from an asset sale.

Comerica's pending $780.6 million acquistion of Sterling Bancshares, part of its strategy to shift its focus from the Midwest to the much stronger Texas economy, is expected to close by July 28. The move is also part of consolidation trend. The industry has been recovering lately, as most banks set aside less to cover potential losses as credit quality continues to improve. However, revenue growth has been more difficult to achieve for many banks.

Comerica reported a profit of $96 million, or 53 cents a share, up from $70 million, or 39 cents a share, a year earlier. The latest period included $5 million in acquisition-related costs. Revenue decreased 3.7% to $593 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters most recently forecast earnings of 53 cents on revenue of $594 million.

Loan-loss provisions fell to $47 million from $126 million a year earlier and $49 million in the first quarter.

Sterling reported a loss of $11.8 million, or 12 cents a share, from a year-earlier profit of $596 million, or a penny a share. The latest period included a 9-cent loss related to its pending sale of its MBM Advisors Inc. investment advisory unit. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters most recently forecast earnings of 2 cents.

Revenue increased fell 14% to $44.3 million.

Loan-loss provisions fell to $9.2 million from $9.3 million a year earlier and $10.8 million in the first quarter.

Shares of Comerica and Sterling closed Monday at $32.31 and $7.63, respectively. Neither was active premarket. Shares of Comerica are down by about 26% from a multiyear high in January before the acquisition was unveiled. Sterling is up 73% in the past year.

-By Tess Stynes, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2481; [e-mail]