HSBC prepares $3 billion share buyback as profits exceed forecasts

HSBC has announced another $3 billion share buyback program after enjoying much better-than-expected profits in the third quarter.

Europe’s biggest bank saw its pre-tax profits soar 10 per cent to $8.5bn (£6.6bn) in the three months to the end of September, well above the $7.6bn (£6.6bn) 5.9 billion pounds sterling) predicted by analysts.

It attributed the performance to customer activity, which boosted turnover in its wealth banking and wholesale transactions operations.

Total revenue rose 5 percent to $17 billion even though its net interest income fell about $1.6 billion to $7.6 billion due to business disposals and higher interest expenses. about liabilities.

HSBC also said it was hit by customers switching to current accounts paying higher returns and losses on early redemption of legacy securities.

Following the result, the FTSE 100 company plans to acquire another $3 billion of its shares, having completed a similarly sized purchase last week.

Georges Elhedery, chief executive of HSBC, commented: ‘We had another good quarter, which shows that our strategy is working.

“HSBC is a highly connected global company and the plans we set out last week aim to increase our leadership and market share in areas where we have a competitive advantage, deliver the best products and service excellence.”

HSBC recently revealed proposals for a radical organizational restructuring that would see it operate as four business units and effectively split its businesses into the west and east.

It will have a separate division in the UK, including retail banks such as M&S Bank and First Direct, a Hong Kong company, and segments covering corporate and institutional banking, and international and prime banking.

The firm will also review its management structure, replacing its 18-member group executive committee with a 12-person operating committee.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: ‘HSBC has been moving towards a business that is less slavishly reliant on interest rate movements and levels, with an increasing focus on growing the wealth of the wealthy. , especially in Asia.

“The group has been investing heavily in this move, giving HSBC larger, but more diversified, income streams.”

HSBC Holdings Stock They rose 3.9 per cent to 719.1p on Tuesday morning, making them the biggest riser on the FTSE 100 index.

Its results follow NatWest, Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group reporting better-than-anticipated profits in the July to September period.

Barclays said its pre-tax profits rose 18 per cent to £2.2bn due to healthy trading levels in its investment banking division.

Meanwhile, Lloyds made £1.8bn in pre-tax profits thanks to increased structural hedging profits and NatWest made £1.7bn in pre-tax operating profits thanks to higher lending and deposit volumes.