Summary Box: ING posts sharply higher 2Q earnings on good margins, fewer bad investments

Summary Box: Dutch bank ING posts 2Q results

THE RESULTS: Dutch bank and insurance company ING Groep NV posted a sharp rise in second-quarter earnings from the year-ago period, which was dragged down by losses on stocks, bonds and real estate investments.

BOTTOM LINE: Net profit rose to 1.09 billion euros ($1.44 billion) from 79 million euros. A strong performance by its banking arm outweighed a loss in insurance, which was hurt by the sharp decline in equity markets in the quarter.

WHAT’S AHEAD: ING plans to sell its insurance arm as part of a deal with European regulators after it received state aid during the financial crisis. Some analysts believe the division’s volatile earnings could lower its price tag.