Frankfurt, January 29, 2026, 14:58 (CET) — Regular session
- Deutsche Bank shares edged up 0.1% on Xetra, trading in a range from 31.93 to 33.37 euros.
- Bank reported its largest yearly profit since 2007 and approved a €1 billion share buyback
- Prosecutors are investigating the lender over a delayed suspicious activity report linked to a money-laundering probe
Deutsche Bank shares steadied Thursday following the bank’s biggest annual profit since 2007 and announcement of a new share buyback. Still, the stock remained volatile amid a money-laundering probe. By 14:23 CET, shares were up 0.05% at 32.88 euros on Xetra, after falling to 31.925 and earlier hitting 33.365. (Comdirect)
The result is crucial as the bank works to secure its turnaround amid shifting market risk assessments and tougher regulatory scrutiny on financial crime. Traders want to know one thing: can Deutsche continue its cash payouts and meet fresh return goals without facing another costly compliance setback?
Deutsche posted a net profit attributable to shareholders of 6.12 billion euros ($7.3 billion) for 2025, nudging past analysts’ forecasts of just under 6 billion euros. It also greenlit 1 billion euros in share buybacks. In Q4, net profit hit 1.3 billion euros, outperforming the anticipated 1.12 billion, driven by a 7% jump in fixed-income and currency trading revenue—better than the 4% rise expected. This came as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs saw similar revenue growth. Despite this, shares slipped 2.3% mid-morning after a drop the previous day. CEO Christian Sewing pointed to the issue originating from a supposedly late “suspicious activity report,” a filing meant to flag potentially illicit transactions, adding: “We are, of course, cooperating fully with the authorities.” (Reuters)
German federal police raided Deutsche Bank offices in Frankfurt and Berlin Wednesday, targeting an investigation involving unknown individuals and bank staff, according to Frankfurt prosecutors. The bank confirmed it is cooperating. Two sources told Reuters the probe centers on transactions from 2013 to 2018. Deutsche Bank shares dropped 3% on the day of the raids. (Reuters)
Deutsche reported an 84% jump in profit before tax to 9.7 billion euros, hitting its post-tax return on tangible equity target of 10.3%, a key measure excluding intangibles. The bank plans a 1.00 euro per share dividend and confirmed 1 billion euros in authorized buybacks. CEO Sewing said it had “delivered on all our 2025 financial goals,” while CFO James von Moltke described 2025 as “a year of delivery.” (Deutsche Bank)
The figures highlight just how much Deutsche’s momentum hinges on its investment bank, where trading results can fluctuate wildly from quarter to quarter. This strength offers a cushion in choppy markets but also leaves the shares vulnerable to shifts in client activity or risk appetite.
The second risk isn’t tied to earnings but headlines. Should prosecutors expand the case or regulators intensify scrutiny, the fallout is clear: rising expenses, leadership distracted, and investor confidence taking another hit just as the bank pushes its next phase.
Investors are awaiting more remarks from prosecutors, along with management’s upcoming market updates. Key dates include the fixed income investor conference call on January 30 and the annual general meeting set for May 28. (Db)
