HSBC pre-tax profit up 4.58% at $10.7b in first half

HONG KONG — Banking giant HSBC said on Monday that pre-tax profit rose 4.58 per cent to $10.7 billion in the first six months of the year and voiced "cautious optimism" despite the China-US trade row. 

After wide-ranging cutbacks that saw 50,000 jobs axed in an overhaul announced in 2015, the bank said it was now hiring again as it seeks new growth areas.

"We are investing to win new customers, increase our market share, and lay the foundations for consistent growth in profits and returns," said CEO John Flint. 

He added that investments in the first half of the year included "hiring more frontline staff in our strongest businesses and expanding our digital capabilities in core markets", saying that the aim was to improve customer service.

The pre-tax profit figures met analysts' expectations as they predicted the bank would boost its bottom line.

Revenues were also up four per cent at $27.3 billion in the six months to June. 

However, adjusted profit before tax of $12.1b was down two per cent and revenues were tempered by a rise of seven per cent in operating expenses to $17.5 billion, which the bank said reflected investments in digital capabilities. 

There have been concerns over how long costs will outstrip revenue for the bank.

Shares in HSBC dipped slightly after lunch, trading at HK$72.65 from HK$73.40 before the figures were released, though they were still up 0.5 per cent from Friday's close. 

But Dickie Wong of Kingston Securities said a better cost-efficiency ratio and improved interest margins had helped the bank's turnaround, while its investments had put it "in good shape".

Seeking more frontline staff would help bring in customers, he added. 

Wong added the escalating US-China trade row would have "minimal" negative impact on HSBC with its businesses in the Greater China region doing well.

Strong Asia performance 

The London-based firm is enjoying a change in fortunes after a tough few years.

In January, it agreed to pay more than $100 million to US authorities after admitting to defrauding clients during multi-billion-dollar foreign exchange transactions.

In December, US authorities lifted the threat of prosecution against HSBC, five years after it admitted to widespread money laundering and sanctions violations.

In a landmark case, the bank agreed to pay $1.9 billion in fines in 2012 after admitting it knowingly moved hundreds of millions of dollars for Mexican drug cartels and illegally served clients in Iran, Myanmar, Libya, Sudan and Cuba in violation of a US prohibition.

Under the terms of the settlement, federal prosecutors agreed to drop all charges after five years if the bank paid the fine, took remedial action and avoided committing new violations.

Flint said in June that he plans to invest $15-17 billion primarily in growth and technology projects, with a particular focus on accelerating growth in Asia.

He was promoted to the top job after serving as HSBC's head of retail banking and wealth management.

After some strong profitable years under Stuart Gulliver before his retirement, HSBC earnings plunged in 2016 on huge writedowns and restructuring charges.

However, they rebounded last year, in part thanks to a strong Asian performance.

Prior to his departure, Gulliver said the bank would likely switch 1,000 jobs to Paris from London owing to Britain's departure from the European Union due next year. 

HSBC, founded in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 1865, sees its focus firmly in Asia, although it has been based in Britain since 1992.