Standard Chartered reported flat fourth-quarter income of $4.8bn ($4.9bn expected), ignoring currency impacts. Performance was broadly flat across traditional lending and non-interest income (which includes wealth management and investment banking).
Underlying profit before tax was up 19% to $1.2bn ($1.3bn expected). Credit quality remains strong, with lower impairments than expected.
The group’s CET1 ratio, a key capital measure, was 14.1% at the end of the period (target 13–14%). A final dividend of $0.49 was announced, bringing the full-year dividend to $0.61, up 65%. There was also a new $1.5bn buyback programme announced.
2026 guidance points to top-line income growth toward the bottom of a 5-7% range (consensus 3%).
The shares were broadly flat in early trading.
Our view
HL view to follow.
Standard Chartered key facts
All ratios are sourced from LSEG Datastream, 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.
This article is original Hargreaves Lansdown content, published by Hargreaves Lansdown. It was correct as at the date of publication, and our views may have changed since then. Unless otherwise stated estimates, including prospective yields, are a consensus of analyst forecasts provided by LSEG. These estimates are not a reliable indicator of future performance. Yields are variable and not guaranteed. Investments rise and fall in value so investors could make a loss.
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