Royal Bank of Canada: Strong Financial Performance and Growth Potential Justify Buy RatingRY reported adj. cash EPS of $3.84 (18% y/y), far above consensus of $3.32 and our $3.28. Revenue was better than our expectations, with the expense ratio at 53.5% better than our 56.3% estimate. $881M were ~$126M below our expectation, with RY benefitting from a performing release in its CNB business and minimal performing builds in other segments. As a result, total PCL ratio at 35 bps was below our 39 bps (Street at 43 bps). Excluding HSBC, PTPP was up 17% y/y. Average earning assets were up 12% y/y driven by solid average loan growth in Personal Banking and Commercial Banking, and higher AEA across all segments of the bank. Core NIM was down 5 bps q/q, due primarily to transactions in Capital Markets, which get offset in non-interest income. Excluding, NIM was flat. RY’s CET1 ratio was 13.2%, below our 13.27% (Street at 13.22%) on slightly higher RWA and share buybacks.