Oct 31 (Reuters) - Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd ANZ.AX :
* EXPECT CHALLENGING TRADING CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE FOR FORESEEABLE FUTURE
* EXPECT OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO AUSTRALIAN HOME LOANS BUSINESS TO HELP RESTORE MARKET SHARE IN OUR TARGETED SEGMENTS
* RECORD LOW INTEREST RATES AND INTENSE COMPETITION WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT PROFITABILITY
* MANAGEMENT ACTIONS AND OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS HAVE SEEN A STEADY RECOVERY IN HOME LOAN APPLICATIONS IN RECENT MONTHS
* GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS WILL ALSO PLACE PRESSURE ON EARNINGS GIVEN OUR EXPOSURE TO GLOBAL TRADE
* "CAPITAL EFFICIENCY WILL REMAIN A FOCUS, PARTICULARLY AS WE MANAGE PROPOSED CHANGES IMPACTING OUR BUSINESS IN NEW ZEALAND"
* HAS ASSESSED A FRANKING OF 70%
* CAN CONSIDER FURTHER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ACTIONS ONCE ANY REGULATORY CHANGES ARE KNOWN IN COMING MONTHS
* ANZ NEW ZEALAND IS AGAIN EXPLORING A RANGE OF STRATEGIC OPTIONS, INCLUDING DIVESTMENT, FOR WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY UDC FINANCE