LONDON , United Kingdom (AFP) — Lloyds Banking Group on Thursday announced a 45-percent drop in first quarter net profit on expected costs linked to the repurchasing of bonds launched after the financial crisis. Underlying pre-tax profits were largely stable and chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio said the first three months of the year had delivered “a robust financial performance” and left the group with a strong balance sheet. LBG, which has been returned almost fully […]