Caroline Hepker

The French bank delivered net income of €2.97 billion in the last three months of 2025.

That was well ahead of the analysts' estimates of €2.86 billion.

BNP also raised its 2028 profitability target to a return on tangible equity above 13% and it sharpened its goal.

for the cost-income ratio.

Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is also likely to keep interest rates on hold for a fifth consecutive meeting.

That's despite geopolitical tensions and a stronger euro.

All economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect the deposit rate to be kept at 2% at today's meeting.

Investors and analysts see rates staying there until the end of next year, with the chances of a hike in 2026 receding.

That's news when you want it with Bloomberg News Now.

I'm Caroline Hepker.

And I'm Caroline Hepker.

The price of silver has plunged by as much as 17% today after a two-day recovery.

Silver prices hit an all-time high in late January of more than $120 an ounce.

Since then, though, silver has lost more than a third of its value and is trading at around $75.

The precious metal rally last month was driven by speculative leveraged bets, geopolitical upheaval and concerns over Fed independence.

Now, the Bank of England is widely expected to leave interest rates on hold today as it waits for more evidence that inflation is under control.

Bloomberg's Ewan Potts has a preview.

Now we've got some breaking news this hour.

BNP Paribas has reported unexpectedly high fourth quarter profit and raised some midterm financial targets.

So the French lender achieved net income of 2.97 billion euros in the three months through to December.