HSBC announced a new share buyback programme worth up to 1 billion dollars after reporting second-quarter pre-tax profit of 10.1 billion dollars for the period ended in June, exceeding analysts’ average forecast of 9.5 billion dollars.
The programme coincided with the bank’s announcement of a new interim dividend, although the material did not specify the dividend amount or payment date. Results benefited from 2.6 billion dollars in exceptional items, as well as revenue growth in banking and wealth management.
Key figures
1 billion dollars: the maximum value of the new share buyback.
10.1 billion dollars: second-quarter pre-tax profit for the period ended in June.
9.5 billion dollars: analysts’ average forecast.
2.6 billion dollars in exceptional items.
14 billion dollars: estimated value of the full acquisition of Hang Seng Bank.
Share buybacks resume
The new programme marks the resumption of share buybacks that the bank suspended in October 2025 after announcing its full acquisition of Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Bank, estimated at around 14 billion dollars. HSBC had said the suspension would last for about three quarters of a year to allow the transaction to be completed.
We are executing our strategic priorities with speed, precision and discipline, enabling our four business units to focus on their core strengths, drive growth, work in a more integrated way and deepen customer relationships.
Wealth management at the heart of the strategy
The results came after HSBC shares touched record levels in recent weeks, recovering from a sharp decline in June linked to investor concerns that Chinese authorities would tighten restrictions on cross-border capital flows. The measures raised concerns about their impact on the bank’s wealth-management business, one of its growth engines in Asia.
Elhedery has placed wealth management at the heart of the bank’s transformation strategy, with a focus on Hong Kong’s role as a regional hub serving high-net-worth clients.
Standard Chartered announces similar programme
On 29 July, Standard Chartered reported quarterly profit that exceeded analysts’ expectations, supported by strong performance in wealth management. The bank posted its best first-half performance in its history and announced a new 1 billion dollar share buyback programme.
Standard Chartered chief executive Bill Winters said in an interview with Bloomberg Television that the bank had so far seen “no material change” in business flows as a result of the Chinese restrictions.
