FTSE 100 Live: NatWest Profits Soar, Consumer Confidence Falls

There are still a few months and budget left, but I have previously noted that NatWest shares are now on track for their biggest annual gain since 1993, when it was Royal Bank of Scotland.

A strong performance from Barclays and Lloyds, along with strong gains from Standard Chartered and HSBC, means the FTSE 350 Banks index, which tracks the sector, is on track for its biggest annual rise since 2012.

Frankly, I accept the same caveat that it’s only October and earnings so far are outpacing 2021’s.