Popular Posts Strong Q2 Profit, $234M YTD Buybacks and Dividend Raise
Popular, Inc. reported stronger results for the quarter and first half of 2025. Quarterly net income was $210.4 million versus $177.8 million a year earlier, and six-month net income was $387.9 million versus $281.1 million. Earnings per share improved to $3.09 for the quarter and $5.64 for the six-month period, reflecting higher net interest income of $631.5 million in the quarter. Total assets rose to $76.07 billion and deposits increased to $67.22 billion, up from $64.88 billion.
Credit provisioning remained notable with a quarterly provision for credit losses of $48.9 million and a six-month provision of $113.0 million. The investment portfolio carried $1.061 billion of gross unrealized losses in available-for-sale debt securities at June 30, 2025, concentrated in mortgage-backed securities. The company repurchased about $112.0 million of common stock in the quarter and $234.3 million in the six months under a $500 million repurchase authorization, while raising the quarterly dividend to $0.70 per common share.
Positive
- Net income growth: Q2 net income of $210.4M (up from $177.8M) and six-month net income of $387.9M (up from $281.1M).
- Improved EPS: Quarterly EPS increased to $3.09 from $2.47; six-month EPS rose to $5.64 from $3.90.
- Net interest income expansion: Net interest income was $631.5M in the quarter, supporting profitability.
- Deposit and asset growth: Deposits rose to $67.22B and total assets to $76.07B, reflecting balance-sheet growth.
- Shareholder returns: Repurchased ~$112.0M of common stock in the quarter (YTD repurchases $234.3M) and increased quarterly dividend to $0.70 per share.
Negative
- Large unrealized AFS losses: Gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $1.061B at June 30, 2025, concentrated in mortgage-backed securities.
- Ongoing provisioning: Provision for credit losses was $48.9M in the quarter and $113.0M for six months, indicating credit reserve needs remain meaningful.
- Geographic concentration risk: A significant portion of the business is concentrated in Puerto Rico, and the filing states Puerto Rico public-sector deposit balances are uncertain and difficult to predict.
Insights
TL;DR: Solid earnings, wider margins, deposit growth and active buybacks boost capital return and shareholder metrics.
Popular delivered meaningful year-over-year profit growth: Q2 net income rose to $210.4M from $177.8M, and net interest income increased to $631.5M, supporting higher EPS of $3.09. Deposits grew by about $2.33B to $67.22B, and total assets reached $76.07B, reflecting balance-sheet expansion. The company returned capital via repurchases (~$112.0M in the quarter; $234.3M YTD) and raised dividends to $0.70 quarterly, signaling confidence in earnings and liquidity.
TL;DR: Earnings strength is offset by market and concentration risks: >$1.06B AFS unrealized losses and Puerto Rico deposit concentration create vulnerability.
The available-for-sale portfolio showed gross unrealized losses of $1.061B at June 30, 2025, concentrated in mortgage-backed securities, which increases sensitivity to interest-rate and prepayment risk. The filings also highlight concentration of operations and public-sector deposit exposure in Puerto Rico and note those public deposits are uncertain and hard to predict. The allowance on held-to-maturity securities was $6.0M, while provision for credit losses remains sizable ($113.0M YTD), underscoring continued credit monitoring needs.