NatWest beats profit forecasts and lifts income outlook

NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) reported first-quarter profit ahead of expectations and upgraded its income guidance for 2026. Chief executive Paul Thwaite said: "We have started the year with positive momentum, underpinned by healthy customer activity - growing all of our three businesses, expanding our capabilities to meet more of our customers' needs and further improving productivity as we use AI at scale across the bank.