FRANKFURT, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Germany's Commerzbank, fending off a possible takeover by Italy's UniCredit, said on Wednesday that net profit in 2026 would probably exceed its original target of 3.2 billion euros ($3.81 billion).
It attributed the rise to a rosier outlook for net interest income, from 8.4 billion euros to around 8.5 billion euros.
It follows news on Tuesday that the bank's net profit in 2025 fell slightly as it incurred restructuring costs, though the figure beat analysts' expectations and the bank said it would buy back shares.
Italy's UniCredit has amassed a 26% equity stake in the German lender as it pushes for a tie-up between the banks, despite resistance from Commerzbank management, employees, and the German government. Commerzbank executives have been trying to convince shareholders of their standalone strategy by delivering robust earnings. "We are convinced that we can realise significant additional potential in the coming years," CEO Bettina Orlopp said.
($1 = 0.8391 euros)
(Reporting by Tom Sims and Patricia WeissEditing by Linda Pasquini)
By Tom Sims and Patricia Weiss
