Bank of East Asia 2012 Profit Up 39%

Bank of East Asia BKEAY reported a 39% rise in its 2012 net profit. Bank of East Asia's net profit surged to 6.06 billion Hong Kong dollars (US$781 million), versus HK$4.36 billion, in the year-ago period. However, analysts were expecting a profit of HK$4.94 billion. It proposed a final dividend of HK$0.63 per share, versus HK$0.51 per share, in the year-ago period. Bank of East Asia shares closed at $3.9550 yesterday.