Q1 earnings begin on a strong note as banks fuel double-digit growth

For a common sample of 164 companies, revenue grew 17.5% on a low base a year ago, the fastest in at least nine quarters. Net profit rose 14.5% year-on-year, marking a second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. In the year-ago period, revenue and profit had risen by 4.7% and 11.5%, respectively.