When Deutsche Bank AG tried to sell $4.3 billion in debt for a private equity firm buying two gambling companies, investors weren’t enthused.

Deutsche Bank returned to a better-than-expected profit in the second quarter from a loss a year ago as trading earnings helped offset mixed results at its global investment banking division and a hit from the jump in the euro's value.

The lender said its client businesses continued to grow revenues and that its second-quarter results were in line with its guidance for the year.