BBVA's Q4 net profit up 18% compared to same period in 2023

MADRID, Jan 30 (Reuters) - BBVA BBVA.MC on Thursday said its fourth quarter net profit rose 18% from the same period in 2023 thanks to a solid performance in Spain, where it aims to expand through a takeover bid for smaller rival Sabadell SABE.MC worth around 12 billion euros.

The lender booked a net profit of 2.43 billion euros ($2.53 billion) in the September to December period, up from to 2.06 billion euros in the same period a year earlier.

Analysts polled by Reuters expected a net profit of 2.23 billion euros.

($1 = 0.9597 euros)