xA bigger buffer against loan losses weighed on Capital One Financial Corp.'s third-quarter earnings.

The McLean, Virginia-based company said Thursday that it had profit of $1.08 billion, or $1.86 per share. But analysts expected $1.95 per share, according to FactSet. A year ago, profit came to $1.11 billion, or $1.84 per share.

Capital One set aside $993 million for future losses, up 17 percent from a year earlier.

Shares fell 2.5 percent to $76.60 in after-hours trading.

The credit card issuer and bank posted revenue of $5.64 billion in the period, which topped Street forecasts. Analysts expected $5.54 billion, according to Zacks Investment Research. A year ago, revenue came to $5.65 billion.

Loans on credit cards in the U.S. totaled $73 billion, up 5 percent from a year ago.

Capital One shares had ended regular trading down 68 cents to $78.53. The company's shares have increased 2.5 percent since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index has increased nearly 1 percent.