NatWest Group (NWG) Reports Q1 Growth

NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG) is one of the 10 Best European Stocks That Beat Earnings Estimates to Buy.

On May 1, 2026, NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG) reported Q1 EPS of 17.9p compared to 15.5p last year, with total income of GBP 4.36B, pretax profit of GBP 2B, a net interest margin of 2.47%, and a CET1 ratio of 14.3%. CEO Paul Thwaite said results reflect “strong performance,” with total income excluding notable items of GBP 4.2B and operating profit of GBP 2.0B, both higher year over year, alongside a return on tangible equity of 18.2%. Paul Thwaite also pointed to “positive momentum” supported by customer activity, growth across all three businesses, expanded capabilities, and productivity gains from using AI at scale.

NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG) said it now expects FY26 income excluding notable items to be at the top end of its GBP 17.2B to GBP 17.6B range based on current assumptions, while reaffirming the rest of its outlook and noting uncertainty in market conditions.

NatWest Group (NWG) Reports Q1 Growth

Prior to the earnings release, Keefe Bruyette has downgraded NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG) to Market Perform from Outperform previously, with a 650 GBp price target on the shares.

NatWest Group plc (NYSE:NWG) provides banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally.

While we acknowledge the risk and potential of NWG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NWG and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy. 

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.