HSBC Holdings plc (HSBA) Ordinary USD0.50

HSBC has announced that Georges Elhedery will take on the role of CEO, effective as of 2 September 2024, after Noel Quinn announced that he was stepping down in April. Georges Elhedery joined HSBC in 2005 and was appointed to the board and as CFO in January 2023.

Georges Elhedery will continue his role as CFO during the transition period, working with Noel Quinn to ensure a smooth transition into the CEO role.

The shares were flat in early trading.

Our view

Georges Elhedery’s ascension from CFO to CEO had been widely expected, so it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise. For most investors, continuity is essential, especially after the battles HSBC’s board has been through in recent years, to persuade shareholders that its strategy is right.

As usual, there was a lot to unpack from April’s first-quarter results. But underneath the mess, results were broadly better than expected, with impairment charges staying low.

HSBC's exposure to Asia sets it apart from many of its large UK peers. Lacklustre growth for several years has brought significant pressure from a section of the investor base who want to see the business spin out its Asian operations. For now, the board's adamant that's not the right way to go, and the response is a renewed focus on higher growth areas.

There's progress on the portfolio reshuffle. The sales of the French and Canadian businesses have been completed, and the Argentinian operation has been sold and is due to be completed later in the year. Aside from shareholder returns, the capital freed up is being ploughed into what have been historically stronger-performing regions in Asia.

There's also a large global banking arm. Income is diverse, from trading in credit and currency markets to trading finance and payment solutions. Interest rates still impact some income streams, but not to the extent of more traditional banking operations. With interest rate tailwinds easing, we support the diversification this brings.

Now for the challenges. Costs in a higher inflation environment are a bugbear for almost everyone. HSBC has been on a cost-saving mission for years, but they remain a lingering issue. There are also ongoing challenges in the Chinese commercial real estate market which could lead to higher charges taken in preparation for defaults down the line.

The Asian focus is a differentiator from many of its peers, and we continue to see the potential for further growth from areas like wealth management. There's plenty of scope for shareholder returns with the balance sheet in a strong place. HSBC is our preferred UK-listed name for Asian exposure, though we prefer domestic-focused banks in the current environment.

Environmental, Social and governance (ESG) risk

The financials sector is medium-risk in terms of ESG. Product governance is the largest risk for most companies, especially those in the US and Europe with enhanced regulatory scrutiny. Data privacy and security is also an increasingly important risk for banks and diversified financial firms. Business ethics, ESG integration and labour relations are also worth monitoring.

According to Sustainalytics, HSBC’s management of material ESG issues is strong.

HSBC faces risks from business ethics and product governance due to its involvement in related lawsuits and investigations. Its policies against money laundering, bribery, and corruption also have gaps. Although HSBC's credit and loan standards generally meet industry norms, its approach to client engagement on climate issues, particularly in Asia, lacks sufficient evidence.

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