HSBC reported first-quarter revenue, excluding one-off items, up $0.5bn to $17.0bn. Reported profit before tax fell from $12.9bn to $12.7bn, vs $12.6bn expected. That includes one-off items of a $4.8bn gain from the sale of its Canadian business and a $1.1bn charge for putting the Argentina business up for sale.
Banking net interest margin (NIM, a measure of profitability in borrowing/lending) came in at 1.63%, compared to 1.52% the prior quarter. Charges for expected loan losses totalled $720mn, better than markets expected.
The CET1 ratio, a key measure of financial resilience, was 15.2% (14.0-14.5% target range). A dividend of $0.10 per share was announced, along with a special dividend of $0.21 per share from the Canadian sale and a new buyback of up to $3bn.
Guidance is unchanged, with costs expected to rise 5% in 2024 and banking net interest income of at least $41bn.
CEO Noel Quinn has informed the board he intends to retire.
The shares rose 2.4% in early trading.
Our view
News that CEO Noel Quinn is set to retire has come as a shock. But a good set of results and Noel’s plan to stay in his role until a successor is found have proven enough to keep markets happy.
As usual, there was a lot to unpack, with results muddied by asset sales. But underneath the mess, results were broadly better than expected, with impairment charges staying low.
HSBC's exposure to Asia sets it apart from many of its large UK peers. Lacklustre growth for several years has brought significant pressure from a section of the investor base who want to see the business spin out its Asian operations. For now, the board's adamant that's not the right way to go, and the response is a renewed focus on higher growth areas.
There's progress on the portfolio reshuffle. The sales of the French and Canadian businesses have been completed, and the Argentinian operation has been sold and is due to be completed later in the year. Aside from shareholder returns, the capital freed up is being ploughed into what have been historically stronger-performing regions in Asia.
There's also a large global banking arm. Income is diverse, from trading in credit and currency markets to trading finance and payment solutions. Interest rates still impact some income streams, but not to the extent of more traditional banking operations. With interest rate tailwinds easing, we support the diversification this brings.
Now for the challenges. Costs in a higher inflation environment are a bugbear for almost everyone. HSBC has been on a cost-saving mission for years, but they remain a lingering issue. There are also ongoing challenges in the Chinese commercial real estate market which could lead to higher charges taken in preparation for defaults down the line.
The Asian focus is a differentiator from many of its peers, and we continue to see the potential for further growth from areas like wealth management. There's plenty of scope for shareholder returns with the balance sheet in a strong place. HSBC is our preferred UK-listed name for Asian exposure, though we prefer domestic-focused banks overall. The CEO news adds an element of risk, and no returns are guaranteed.
Environmental, Social and governance (ESG) risk
The financials sector is medium-risk in terms of ESG. Product governance is the largest risk for most companies, especially those in the US and Europe with enhanced regulatory scrutiny. Data privacy and security is also an increasingly important risk for banks and diversified financial firms. Business ethics, ESG integration and labour relations are also worth monitoring.
According to Sustainalytics, HSBC’s management of material ESG issues is strong.
HSBC faces risks from business ethics and product governance due to its involvement in related lawsuits and investigations. Its policies against money laundering, bribery, and corruption also have gaps. Although HSBC's credit and loan standards generally meet industry norms, its approach to client engagement on climate issues, particularly in Asia, lacks sufficient evidence.
HSBC key facts
All ratios are sourced from Refinitiv, based on previous day’s closing values. Please remember yields are variable and not a reliable indicator of future income. Keep in mind key figures shouldn’t be looked at on their own – it’s important to understand the big picture.
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