BNP Paribas Q1 profit hits record €3.22 bln on trading, AXA IM boost

BNP Paribas reported record first-quarter 2026 net profit of €3.22 billion, beating expectations as trading strength and the integration of AXA Investment Managers helped lift results.

Revenue rose 8.5% year over year to €14.06 billion, according to the bank’s results release and subsequent market coverage. The result was described as a record quarterly profit for BNP Paribas.

Reuters-syndicated and other reports said the bank benefited from markets and trading, while the AXA IM integration also supported the quarter. Some coverage noted that parts of the investment bank were less strong than the group headline suggested, but the overall result still came in above forecasts.

The bank’s board reviewed the results on April 29, 2026. For investors, the key question now is whether BNP Paribas can keep that momentum through the rest of the year as market conditions shift.

The quarter adds another strong earnings print from a major European lender, with trading activity and asset-management integration helping offset softer areas elsewhere in the business.