Advertisement
HSBC’s first-quarter profit drops 28 per cent as uncertain markets hit wealth revenue, but the bank beats a consensus profit estimate
- Pre-tax profit was US$4.2 billion, beating a consensus estimate of US$3.72 billion
- Operating income in its wealth business fell 19 per cent in the quarter, driven by weakness in Hong Kong
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
Chad Brayin London
HSBC, Europe’s biggest bank by assets, said its first-quarter profit fell 28 per cent as it navigated a challenging period marked by a surge in coronavirus cases in its biggest market and weaker economic activity as the war in Ukraine weighed on global confidence.
Advertisement
The bank’s net profit declined to US$2.8 billion in the three months ended in March, from US$3.9 billion in the same quarter of 2021.
On a pre-tax basis, the London-based bank reported a profit of US$4.2 billion, above a consensus analyst estimate of US$3.72 billion compiled by the bank.
“I’m encouraged by our start to the year. Our strategy is on track, with organic growth and good momentum across most parts of the group,” CEO Noel Quinn said in a statement. “While profits were down on last year’s first quarter due to market impacts on wealth revenue and a more normalised level of [expected credit losses], higher lending across all businesses and regions, and good business growth in personal banking, insurance and trade finance bode well for future quarters.”
The prior year’s quarter included a release of US$400 million in expected credit losses (ECL), compared with US$600 million in reserves taken for potential soured loans in this year’s first quarter.
Advertisement
Advertisement