This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23572499
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
HSBC profits rise despite drop in revenues | HSBC profits rise despite drop in revenues |
(35 minutes later) | |
HSBC has seen profits rise in the first half of the year, despite a drop in revenues, as it streamlined its business and cut operating costs. | |
Pre-tax profit at the bank rose 10% to $14.1bn (£9.2bn), despite a 7% drop in revenues to just under $35bn. | Pre-tax profit at the bank rose 10% to $14.1bn (£9.2bn), despite a 7% drop in revenues to just under $35bn. |
The bank shaved 13% from its operating costs, helped by the sale of non-core businesses and lower bad debts. | |
"We have successfully progressed the repositioning of the business," said chief executive Stuart Gulliver. | "We have successfully progressed the repositioning of the business," said chief executive Stuart Gulliver. |
HSBC is aiming to streamline the bank's operations by focusing on high-growth markets in Asia. The firm, which makes an estimated 90% of its profits outside the UK, said it had closed or sold 11 non-core businesses since the start of the year. | |
In total, it has sold or closed 54 businesses since 2011. | |
The profit was slightly below analysts' expectations and the shares fell more than 3% after the results were issued. | |
HSBC was boosted by a 35% drop in loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions, compared with the same period last year. | |
"These results confirm the value which is being delivered from the continuing reshaping of the group and enforcing appropriate cost discipline," added Mr Gulliver. | |
HSBC said that despite the slower worldwide economic growth currently, it was "well positioned" to take advantage, once it picked up. |