South Korean banks saw a slight decrease in net profit for the first quarter, totaling 6.7 trillion won, down 3.9% from the previous year. This dip was primarily driven by a significant fall in non-interest income, despite an increase in interest income.
Long-term UK borrowing costs hit 28-year high on expectations of higher inflation, and speculation that local elections could prompt leadership challengeFull story: UK’s long-term borrowing costs hit highest level since 1998HSBC profits fall amid $400m fraud-related charge and Iran warAustralia hikes interest rates to 4.35% in blow to mortgage holdersThose credit losses have “overshadowed” HSBC’s results in the last quarter, reports Will Howlett, financials analyst at Quilter Cheviot:HSBC’s quarter was dominated by a sharp and unexpected jump in credit losses, which took the shine off otherwise solid trading and pushed profits just below expectations. A $400m fraud-related loss in the UK drove a marked rise in bad loan charges and has put fresh focus on the risks sitting within more complex lending, even as the rest of the loan book remains stable.Profits were broadly flat on last year, as higher income was absorbed by rising costs and credit charges. Revenues grew 4%, slightly ahead of expectations, helped mainly by fees rather than interest income. Wealth management continued to perform well, though growth has slowed from last year’s pace.“HSBC’s results always bring more of an international flavour than its UK peers. Unfortunately that means the Hormuz crisis looms large in the results, casting a shadow over an otherwise solid set of numbers.The theme is grimly familiar to investors; were it not for the crisis, earnings outlooks would be much rosier. The warnings around the economic impact will only continue to grow the longer the situation remains unresolved.” Continue reading...
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsHSBC profits fall amid $400m fraud-related charge and Iran warAustralia hikes interest rates to 4.35% in blow to mortgage holdersThose credit losses have “overshadowed” HSBC’s results in the last quarter, reports Will Howlett, financials analyst at Quilter Cheviot:HSBC’s quarter was dominated by a sharp and unexpected jump in credit losses, which took the shine off otherwise solid trading and pushed profits just below expectations. A $400m fraud-related loss in the UK drove a marked rise in bad loan charges and has put fresh focus on the risks sitting within more complex lending, even as the rest of the loan book remains stable.Profits were broadly flat on last year, as higher income was absorbed by rising costs and credit charges. Revenues grew 4%, slightly ahead of expectations, helped mainly by fees rather than interest income. Wealth management continued to perform well, though growth has slowed from last year’s pace.“HSBC’s results always bring more of an international flavour than its UK peers. Unfortunately that means the Hormuz crisis looms large in the results, casting a shadow over an otherwise solid set of numbers.The theme is grimly familiar to investors; were it not for the crisis, earnings outlooks would be much rosier. The warnings around the economic impact will only continue to grow the longer the situation remains unresolved.” Continue reading...
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsHSBC profits fall amid $400m fraud-related charge and Iran warAustralia hikes interest rates to 4.35% in blow to mortgage holdersThose credit losses have “overshadowed” HSBC’s results in the last quarter, reports Will Howlett, financials analyst at Quilter Cheviot:HSBC’s quarter was dominated by a sharp and unexpected jump in credit losses, which took the shine off otherwise solid trading and pushed profits just below expectations. A $400m fraud-related loss in the UK drove a marked rise in bad loan charges and has put fresh focus on the risks sitting within more complex lending, even as the rest of the loan book remains stable.Profits were broadly flat on last year, as higher income was absorbed by rising costs and credit charges. Revenues grew 4%, slightly ahead of expectations, helped mainly by fees rather than interest income. Wealth management continued to perform well, though growth has slowed from last year’s pace.“HSBC’s results always bring more of an international flavour than its UK peers. Unfortunately that means the Hormuz crisis looms large in the results, casting a shadow over an otherwise solid set of numbers.The theme is grimly familiar to investors; were it not for the crisis, earnings outlooks would be much rosier. The warnings around the economic impact will only continue to grow the longer the situation remains unresolved.” Continue reading...
Sberbank reported a 16.5% year-on-year increase in net profit to 507.9 billion rubles ($6.74 billion) for Q1 2026, with return on equity reaching 24.4%. Net interest income rose 18.2% to 984.3 billion rubles, while the retail loan portfolio grew 2.5% to 19.7 trillion rubles and mortgage portfolio increased 3.5% to 12.9 trillion rubles.
