HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) (LSE:HSBA) presented its first-quarter 2025 results to investors and analysts on April 29, revealing a mixed performance characterized by declining revenue but improved profitability on an adjusted basis. The banking giant maintained its full-year guidance despite acknowledging a "less favorable" macroeconomic environment.
Quarterly Performance Highlights
HSBC (LON:HSBA) reported profit before tax (PBT) of $9.5 billion for Q1 2025, which rises to $9.8 billion when excluding notable items, representing an 11% year-over-year increase. The bank achieved an annualized return on tangible equity (RoTE) of 18.4% excluding notable items, an improvement of 2.0 percentage points compared to the same period last year.
However, total revenue declined 13% year-over-year to $17.6 billion from $20.4 billion in Q1 2024. The bank announced a dividend of $0.10 per share and a new share buyback program of up to $3 billion.
As shown in the following summary of HSBC’s Q1 2025 financial performance:
"We delivered strong Q1 performance and continued momentum in our business," said Georges Elhedery, Group CEO of HSBC. "Supporting our customers is our top priority, and while the macro environment is less favorable, we remain confident in our ability to deliver on our targets."
Detailed Financial Analysis
Banking Net Interest Income (NII) remained relatively stable quarter-over-quarter at $10.6 billion in Q1 2025. According to the presentation, the impact of rate cuts and a lower day count were offset by the repricing of liabilities and structural hedge assets, along with an improved asset mix.
The following chart illustrates the Banking NII trend over the past five quarters:
HSBC’s Wholesale Transaction (JO:NTUJ) Banking division demonstrated strong performance, particularly in foreign exchange (FX), which saw a $0.3 billion increase as volatility drove higher volumes and client demand for hedging solutions. Excluding the impact of previously divested operations in Canada and Argentina, Global Payments (NYSE:GPN) Solutions increased by 3% year-over-year, while Global Trade Solutions grew by 6%.
The chart below shows the growth in Wholesale Transaction Banking fee and other income:
The Wealth division also showed robust growth, driven primarily by client activity in Asia, especially Hong Kong. The bank reported double-digit growth across Investment Distribution, Private Banking, and Insurance. Key metrics included 301,000 new-to-bank customers in Hong Kong, $12.8 billion in Insurance CSM (Contractual Service Margin) balance, and $22 billion in net new invested assets.
The following chart details the Wealth division’s performance:
Credit performance remained in line with medium-term guidance, with an Expected Credit Loss (ECL) charge of $0.9 billion in Q1 2025, compared to $0.7 billion in Q1 2024, representing a 30% increase year-over-year.
The ECL trend is illustrated in this chart:
Strategic Focus Areas
HSBC continues to emphasize cost management, reporting that it is on track to achieve approximately 3% target basis cost growth for the full year 2025. The bank’s simplification initiatives are generating savings that partially offset inflation and investment costs.
The following chart shows HSBC’s cost management progress:
Customer loans and deposits remained broadly stable quarter-over-quarter, with loans at $945 billion (up from $943 billion in Q4 2024) and deposits at $1,666 billion (down slightly from $1,675 billion).
The balance sheet stability is demonstrated in this chart:
HSBC maintained a strong capital position with a CET1 ratio of 14.7% at the end of Q1 2025, down slightly from 14.9% in Q4 2024. The decrease was primarily due to dividend provisions and the announced share buyback.
The following waterfall chart illustrates the changes in HSBC’s capital position:
Forward-Looking Statements
Despite acknowledging "heightened macroeconomic uncertainty," HSBC maintained its targets and guidance for 2025. The bank continues to focus on achieving mid-teens return on tangible equity, managing costs effectively, and growing its wealth management business.
Pam Kaur, Group CFO, emphasized that the bank remains confident in its ability to deliver on its financial targets despite the challenging environment. "Our diversified business model and strong capital position provide resilience in the face of economic headwinds," she noted.
The presentation follows HSBC’s record profit before tax of $32.3 billion reported for the full year 2023, when the bank emphasized its strategic focus on restructuring and growth in key markets like Asia and the Middle East. The current results suggest that while revenue has declined year-over-year, the bank’s strategic initiatives in transaction banking and wealth management continue to drive profitability when excluding notable items.
Investors will be watching closely to see if HSBC can maintain this momentum throughout 2025 as interest rates continue to evolve and global economic conditions remain uncertain.
Full presentation:
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