Public Bank stock gains 1.07 percent on October 5

Published on 10/05/2026 at 12:37 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Public Bank stock posted MYR 3.58 billion in 1HFY2026 net profit, up 2 percent year over year. Its 2QFY2026 NIM fell to 2.08 percent.

Public Bank, MYL1295OO004, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Public Bank stock (ISIN MYL1295OO004) was last at MYR 4.71 on Bursa Malaysia on October 5, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. MYT, up 1.07 percent from the prior close. The bank also secured a 10th consecutive return on equity award for 2017 to 2026, according to The Edge on October 5, 2026.

Returns remain a central strength

The award recognizes Public Bank among financial institutions with market capitalization of at least RM10 billion. The Edge reported that the group recorded adjusted weighted ROE of 12.5 percent over the three-year evaluation period.

For 1HFY2026, net profit reached MYR 3.58 billion, up 2 percent year over year, while non-interest income increased 12 percent to MYR 186.6 million, according to The Edge. The bank declared an interim dividend of 10.5 sen per share for the period.

Profit grows as margins narrow

The earnings mix also highlights the pressure facing Malaysian lenders. Public Bank's 2QFY2026 net interest margin slipped 3 basis points quarter over quarter to 2.08 percent, its lowest level since 2020, while loan impairment allowances reached MYR 94.1 million in 1HFY2026.

That combination gives the stock a clear split performance profile: fee-related income is expanding, but the core spread business is under pressure. The Edge reported a 35.1 percent cost-to-income ratio and a 0.54 percent asset-quality measure for the group during the period.

Targets stay above the current price

Analyst sentiment remains constructive but less uniform than the headline consensus suggests. According to MarketScreener, the consensus rating was Outperform with 18 analysts and an average target of MYR 5.588; that target lies 18.7 percent above MYR 4.71.

The same MarketScreener page lists August 27, 2026 downgrades from RHB Research Institute to Neutral at MYR 5.60, TA Securities to Hold at MYR 5.36 and UOB Kay Hian to Hold at MYR 5.54.

Public Bank's proposed privatization of its 73.23-percent-owned Hong Kong subsidiary Public Financial Holdings adds a capital-management angle. The proposal values the remaining shares at HKD 2.50 each, while Public Financial Holdings reported 1HFY2026 net profit of HKD 25.19 million, according to MarketScreener on September 8, 2026.

Stock stays below its yearly high

At MYR 4.71 on October 5, 2026, Public Bank stock stood 11.0 percent below its 52-week high of MYR 5.29 and above its 52-week low of MYR 4.18. Market capitalization was MYR 91.4 billion and volume reached 10,246,400 shares.