PNB reports surprise Rs 1,019 crore profit in Q1 on lower provisions

Punjab National Bank on Friday reported a surprise profit of Rs 1,018.63 crore for the quarter ended June 30 on big slump in provisions. The public sector lender had reported a loss of Rs 940 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Analysts in an ET NOW poll projected a loss of Rs 350 crore. Provisions and contingencies declined sharply by 64.86 per cent on a yearly basis to Rs 2,023.31 crore over Rs 5,758.16 crore. The number declined 80 per cent sequentially.