03:55 PM EST - Bank of Montreal : closed out the fiscal year with its highest-ever annual profit -- an 11 percent increase to $2.7 billion -- but analysts said the latest quarter's results are disappointing and could be a sign of turbulent times ahead. The Toronto-based bank, also known as BMO Financial Group, reported fourth-quarter earnings rose 4.8 percent to $696 million, amounting to $1.35 per diluted share, from $1.28 last year. On an annual basis, net earnings rose 11.2 percent to $5.15 per share. BMO, the first of Canada's major banks to report year-end results, said fourth-quarter revenues were $3.5 billion, compared with a year-ago $2.7 billion. Bank of Montreal
shares T.BMO are trading down 2.13 at $69.38.
