Westpac has put on 33.2% this year, and like its peers that have reported last week, needs to come out with good numbers today if it is to justify the...

Westpac has put on 33.2% this year, and like its peers that have reported last week, needs to come out with good numbers today if it is to justify the valuation premium it currently holds. Cash earnings for the bank are expected to print $7.05 billion, which is a strong gain from the $6.598 billion it recorded in FY2012. The dividend should rise to 88c from 84c in the previous corresponding period, while some will be disappointed if the bank doesn't announce a special dividend. Look out of net interest margins are expected to actually gain one basis point to 2.18%.