HSBC Holdings reported a better-than-expected first-half profit and raised its net interest income target, driven by revenue growth in lending and wealth management fee earnings on robust money flows.

Hong Kong's largest bank posted a pretax profit of US$19.5 billion, up 23 percent from US$15.8 billion a year earlier and ahead of the US$18.9 billion that analysts forecast.

HSBC's solid performance reflects the payoff of its Asian focus, where an overhaul targeting wealth and cross-border banking drove fee income growth alongside a favourable rate backdrop.

It also caps a strong earnings season for Europe's big banks, which have extended a more than two-year-long recovery thanks to a surge in trading activity and resilient interest income despite dips in central bank rates.

HSBC lifted its guidance for net interest income for this year, saying it now expects to exceed US$46 billion, having previously said it would hit that level.

The lender announced a resumption of its share buybacks with an up to US$1 billion plan, the first since it announced late last year it was taking Hang Seng Bank private.

HSBC also set a second interim dividend of 10 US cents per share, following a similar payout in May.

The half-year update from HSBC showed Chief Executive Georges Elhedery continuing his strategy of streamlining the lender by exiting markets where it lacks scale, as the bank sold its Singapore insurance, Egypt retail banking and Australian mortgage businesses.

Wealth revenue in the first half grew 18 percent from a year ago, backed by strong growth from its Asian markets.

Rival Standard Chartered also announced a forecast-beating first-half profit last week, powered by a push for fee income. (Reuters)





Edited by Tony Sabine