French bank Natixis posts surprise rise in Q4 profit

Paris

FRENCH investment bank Natixis reported an unexpected rise in its fourth quarter net profit as a one-off gain linked to the US tax reform and stronger revenue growth in asset management helped offset a widespread trading slowdown.

It struck a positive note on the investment banking business at the start of the year, saying that current market volatility helps boost client activity and that it "will not end this week".