Business commentary

HSBC HOLDINGS PLC – INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT
HSBC Holdings plc (‘HSBC’) will be conducting a trading update conference call with analysts and investors today to coincide with the release of its Interim Management Statement. The trading update call will take place at 12.00 GMT (in London), and details of how to participate in the call and the live audio webcast can be found at Investor Relations on www.hsbc.com and at the end of this Statement. Registered Office and Group Management Office: 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom HSBC Holdings plc
Web: www.hsbc.com Incorporated in England with limited liability. Registered number 617987 HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/2
HSBC INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT
Results for the quarter ended 31 March 2011 (‘Q1 2011’)
Consolidated summary of results (unaudited)
Net operating income before loan impairment charges and Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions . (10,369)
Share of profit in associates and joint ventures . Profit before tax .
Changes in own credit spread on long-term debt . Adjustments for foreign currency translation and acquisitions Profit after tax .
Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company . Dividend per ordinary share (in respect of the period) . Return on average ordinary shareholders’ equity (annualised) . HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/3
Group Chief Executive, Stuart Gulliver, commented:
“Underlying profits1 held up well against a strong Q1 2010, we were profitable in all regions and customer groups, profits increased in each of our faster-growing regions and credit quality improved. There was double-digit revenue growth in many of our businesses in the faster- growing regions. We continued to increase customer lending in all regions, except North America, with strong growth in Asia and Latin America. Higher lending balances, along with strong trade volumes, contributed to the rise in revenues in those regions. Set against this, as expected, we faced revenue headwinds in Global Banking and Markets, notably in Balance Sheet Management, and in the US, where we continued to run off the Consumer Finance portfolios and Card balances reduced. Loan impairment charges once again fell significantly as economic conditions stabilised and we reduced portfolio risk and improved collections. We have increased our emphasis on cost management across the Group, launching a number of cost reduction programmes during the period which will be covered in more detail at the Strategy Day. The rise in operating expenses compared with Q1 2010 largely reflected continued investment in our businesses in the faster-growing markets and in Global Banking and Markets. This is reflected principally in higher staff costs. The increase was also driven by a number of items which affected the comparisons with Q1 2010 and Q4 2010, in particular a provision of US$440m relating to payment protection insurance in the UK. These items were significant contributors to the rise in the cost efficiency ratio to 60.9%. Excluding them, and movements in the fair value of own debt related to credit spreads, this ratio was 55.1% in Q1 2011 with costs broadly stable compared with Q4 2010. The world economy continued to expand during the quarter, and although emerging market output growth eased slightly, we believe that these markets will once again outpace mature markets this year. However, there remain a number of risks to the global recovery cycle in the short-term. In the developed world, higher oil and food prices may slow the pace of recovery while, in emerging markets, higher inflation is dampening consumer sentiment. Despite this, we expect economic growth to continue, albeit more slowly than in 2010. 1All references to profits are profits before tax, unless otherwise stated. Details of the basis for comparisons are covered in the Notes to this Statement. HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/4
I am pleased to say that April’s performance was satisfactory and in line with expectations. I believe HSBC is well placed to capitalise on global business opportunities. Together with my management team, I look forward to presenting our strategy and key priorities on 11 May.” Group performance summary
Earnings were well balanced and all geographical regions and customer groups were profitable. Commercial Banking performed strongly, with profit and revenue growth driven by increasing customer loan balances and higher trade volumes, partly offset by increasing costs as we continued to invest for growth. Profits in Retail Banking and Wealth Management also continued to improve, mainly as a result of lower loan impairment charges, offset in part by higher costs in the faster-growing markets and the payment protection insurance (‘PPI’) provision. In Global Banking and Markets, profits were lower but remained strong by historical standards. Private Banking profits were in line with 2010 performance. Group performance commentary
Revenues benefited from a number of positive trends. Higher trade-related volumes and increased insurance and investment income were recorded, most notably in Asia. We continued to grow customer loan balances, which increased by 4% during the quarter. In line with recent strong loan growth, net interest income in Asia and Latin America increased overall, while in Europe net interest income rose in Retail Banking and Wealth Management and in Commercial Banking. This was partly offset by asset spread compression as the portfolio mix migrated to better quality secured lending. Revenues were 5% lower than in Q1 2010, principally as a result of headwinds highlighted in respect of full year 2010 performance. These were the ongoing run-off in the US of the Consumer Finance portfolios and lower balances in Cards, and reduced revenues in Global Banking and Markets, including lower Balance Sheet Management HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/5
Compared with Q4 2010, Group revenues were broadly unchanged, reflecting an improvement in Global Banking and Markets, offset by movements in the fair value of non-qualifying hedges, with an unfavourable fair value movement of US$59m in Q1 2011 which contrasted with a favourable movement of US$736m in Q4 2010. In Global Banking and Markets, revenues were lower compared with a strong Q1 2010. However, following strategic investment in the business, equities revenues reached their highest quarterly level in two years as global equity markets rallied. Compared with Q4 2010, revenues recovered strongly across most business lines and regions, as market conditions improved and client activity increased. Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions continued to improve as a result of stabilising economic conditions combined with earlier management initiatives to reduce portfolio risk and improve collection processes. Overall, they fell by 37% to US$2.4bn, the lowest quarterly level since Q2 2006. All customer groups and all regions experienced an improvement, with the US accounting for a significant proportion of the total due to lower balances in the Consumer Finance run-off portfolio and the Cards business. Within the Consumer Finance run-off portfolio, the decline in loan impairment charges was moderated by US$0.4bn of additional charges as a result of changes in economic assumptions about the pace of recovery in home prices and delays in the timing of expected cash flows, notably as a result of the foreclosure moratorium that In Global Banking and Markets, a small net release in loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions contrasted with a charge in Q1 2010 in line with improved market conditions. Projected impairment charges and expected cash losses remain in line with earlier guidance and the available-for-sale reserve reduced from US$6.4bn at 31 December 2010 to US$5.8bn at 31 March 2011. HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/6
Costs in Q1 2011 included a US$440m provision in respect of the adverse judgement in the Judicial Review relating to sales of PPI in the UK (for details see below); restructuring costs of US$67m in Latin America; impairments on certain software projects now deferred or cancelled of US$78m in the US; and an acceleration in the expense recognition for deferred bonus awards of US$70m2. Excluding these items and movements in the fair value of own debt related to credit spreads, the cost efficiency ratio was 55.1%, compared with a reported cost efficiency ratio of 60.9% for Q1 2011. On the same basis, and excluding the pension curtailment gain of US$148m recorded in Q1 2010, expenses rose by 7%. The principal drivers of this increase were higher employee expenses and technology-related costs supporting strategic investment in the business. On a reported basis, costs were 2% higher compared with Q4 2010. However, both quarters included a number of notable items, including litigation and other regulatory provisions and, after excluding these, costs were broadly stable. In the UK, legislation in respect of the bank levy has yet to be substantively enacted and therefore no charge has been recognised in Q1 2011. However, we estimate that the cost of the UK bank levy for HSBC will be approximately US$600m for the full year 2011. At US$5.5bn, underlying pre-tax profits were 10% lower than in Q1 2010. On a reported basis, pre-tax profits fell by 14% to US$4.9bn. Unfavourable movements in the fair value of own debt relating to credit spreads mainly accounted for the difference between the reported and underlying figures in Q1 2011. Profit after tax rose by 52% to US$4.4bn. The effective tax rate for the Group was significantly lower at 10.0%, principally due to the recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets in the US on foreign tax credits. The high effective tax rate in Q1 2010 of 49.2% was largely caused by a tax charge on the sale of HSBC Bank Canada by HSBC North America Holdings Inc. to its UK parent company, as previously 2 Recent regulatory pronouncements and best practice guidance have clarified the required structure and terms of deferred bonus arrangements. Accordingly, HSBC started to recognise from 1 January 2011 the costs of deferred awards to be granted in March 2012. HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/7
Profit attributable to shareholders increased by 58% to US$4.2bn, resulting in basic earnings per ordinary share of US$0.23, up 53%. Annualised return on average ordinary shareholders’ equity was 11.4%, up from 8.3% in Q1 2010, in part reflecting the low effective tax rate in Q1 2011, as noted above. Customer account balances increased by 4% or US$47bn to US$1.3 trillion during the We continued to increase customer lending during the quarter. Loans and advances to customers rose by 4% or US$39bn to US$997bn, despite the effect of the run-off of portfolios in the US. Europe, Asia and Latin America all recorded higher balances, with Commercial Banking and mortgage lending driving the growth, as we focus on faster- growing and lower-risk markets and sectors. The advances-to-deposits ratio for the Group remained conservative at 78.2%. This is well within our maximum benchmark ratio of 90% and highlights further room for We continued to generate capital and the core tier 1 ratio improved to 10.7%. Risk- weighted assets marginally increased, reflecting strong growth in the key markets where we are expanding our customer relationships, partly offset by run-off in legacy portfolios. On 3 May 2011, the Board announced a first interim dividend payment for 2011 of US$0.09 per ordinary share, an increase of 12.5% compared with the first interim dividend in 2010, as we signalled in February. HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/8
Regional commentary
Continued growth in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong economy performed robustly during the quarter and demand for credit remained strong. Pre-tax profits were 4% higher and we grew revenues by 8%, with increases across all customer groups. Commercial Banking continued to experience strong asset growth and higher trade volumes, notably between mainland China and Hong Kong, reflecting strong demand and resulting in a 22% increase in revenues, with the benefits of asset growth partly offset by asset spread compression in a competitive marketplace. Lending increased during the quarter and deposit balances rose, mainly in Commercial Banking and Global Banking and Markets. In Retail Banking and Wealth Management, we increased sales of insurance and investment products. We experienced positive trends in credit quality across our key businesses. Costs overall were 19% higher than in Q1 2010, principally as a result of increased investment in staff and other costs to support business expansion, but were 15% lower than in Q4 2010 as a result of lower marketing and general expenses. Higher profits in Rest of Asia-Pacific
Economic growth slowed from 2010 levels and inflation rates were higher in key markets. The disaster in Japan seemed to have a limited economic effect in the quarter. While monetary tightening in mainland China was applied on a number of occasions to reduce credit growth, most Asian economies continued to perform robustly. Pre-tax profits increased by 25%, as a result of a substantial increase in net interest income following the robust lending growth throughout 2010 and into 2011 and a higher contribution from our associates in mainland China. Revenues rose by 18%, driven by higher asset and deposit balances, and stronger trade volumes and wealth management income. We continued to grow lending, with balances 5% higher overall and increasing in all customer groups during the quarter. Costs rose by 17% compared with Q1 2010, mainly as a result of investment in staff and marketing to support business growth. Costs were 2% lower than in Q4 2010. HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/9
Stable performance in the Middle East
While the UAE and Saudi Arabian economies continued to recover, political unrest in parts of the region contributed to a general reduction in customer activity. Despite the uncertainty, pre- tax profits were 91% higher, largely reflecting earlier actions to reposition certain portfolios, and improved credit conditions in Dubai. Revenues were marginally lower compared with Q1 2010 and modest lending growth and strong growth in deposits during the quarter reflected progress in consolidating our position as the market leader for cross-border trade finance in the region. Costs were 19% higher than in Q1 2010 as we invested in growing the business, but were Improvement continues in Latin America
The region’s major economies continued to grow strongly and HSBC’s profits reflected this upward trend, increasing by 29%. Loan impairment charges improved by 18% in line with the managed decline of certain portfolios in Mexico and stronger economic conditions in Brazil. Revenues increased by 15%, driven by continuing growth in deposit balances and rising demand for credit in Retail Banking and Wealth Management and Commercial Banking in Brazil and Argentina, and Commercial Banking in Mexico, which was partially offset by spread compression in those markets. We grew customer lending during the quarter by 6% overall, largely in Commercial Banking in Brazil and Mexico, reflecting higher demand and new business relationships. Costs were 21% higher, in large part due to inflationary pressures, which drove union-agreed salary increases in Brazil and Argentina. Cost growth also included US$67m in respect of restructuring across the region. Key actions during the period to support sustainable savings included structural reorganisation, branch rationalisation and portfolio optimisation, which will continue during 2011. Profits in Europe impacted by lower trading activity and PPI provisions
Recovery across the region remained uneven. Strong growth in Germany prompted the European Central Bank to raise interest rates in April even as Portugal requested financial assistance. Sovereign bond markets in Europe were volatile, particularly those relating to countries with higher levels of Government deficits, although market sentiment improved HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/10
Profits fell by 65% overall, mainly as a result of a lower contribution from Global Banking and Markets. Although still strong by historical standards, Global Banking and Markets’ profits declined, reflecting lower Credit revenues which were affected by a general widening of spreads and the non-recurrence of prior period price appreciation on certain legacy positions, and a reduced contribution from Balance Sheet Management as higher yielding positions matured as expected. In Retail Banking and Wealth Management, profits also fell, principally due to the provision of US$440m taken in relation to PPI sales. Excluding this provision, profits were higher as a result of reduced loan impairment charges, improved asset spreads and higher lending volumes in the UK mortgage market. In Commercial Banking, higher profits reflected a reduction in loan impairment charges and an increase in lending. Deposit balances were also higher, largely as a result of targeted marketing in UK Retail Banking and Wealth Management. Excluding the PPI provision, total expenses in Europe were in line with Q1 2010 and 3% lower than in Q4 2010, reflecting tight cost control. On 20 April 2011, an adverse judgement was received on the Judicial Review application brought by the British Bankers Association (‘BBA’) on behalf of a group of UK banks, which included HSBC, against the Financial Services Authority and Financial Ombudsman Service relating to PPI. A provision of US$440m has been made in the results for Q1 2011 in respect of the estimated liability relating to redress for the possible mis-selling of PPI policies in previous years. There are many factors which affect the estimated liability, including the nature and volume of customer complaints, the extent to which HSBC may be required to take action, and the facts and circumstances of each individual customer’s case. Accordingly there is currently a high degree of uncertainty around the ultimate costs of dealing with the matter. Following the publication in the UK of the Independent Commission on Banking’s interim report on 11 April 2011, we continue to work closely with the Commission and industry bodies on the consultation process and to assess the possible impact on the Group. HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/11
North America continues to be profitable
The US economy continued to recover, although signals as to the strength of the recovery were mixed and the housing market remained distressed, with an overhang of foreclosed properties. HSBC’s North American business remained profitable and we continued to attract customers and grow deposit balances in our Retail Banking and Wealth Management and Commercial Banking businesses during the quarter. In the US, we also selectively grew our Commercial Banking loan book. However, profits were 60% lower overall. Total revenues were 14% lower, in part driven by declining lending balances in the Cards business and Consumer Finance run- off portfolios. Driven by these declining balances, loan impairment charges improved by 30%, despite the incremental charge of US$0.4bn resulting from the changes to assumptions referred to above. Costs were 15% higher than in Q1 2010, principally due to impairments on software projects charged during the quarter of US$78m and the absence of the pension accounting credit of US$148m recorded in Q1 2010. Compared with Q4 2010, costs were marginally lower as a result of lower litigation provisions and a reduction in marketing activity in Q1 2011. We measure our performance internally on a like-for-like basis by eliminating the effects of foreign currency translation differences, acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries and businesses and fair value movements on own debt attributable to credit spread where the net result of such movements will be zero upon maturity of the debt, all of which distort year-on-year comparisons. We refer to this as our underlying performance. Income statement comparisons, unless stated otherwise, relate to the three months ended 31 March 2011 and are compared with the corresponding three months in 2010. Balance sheet comparisons, unless otherwise stated, relate to balances as at 31 March 2011 compared with the corresponding balances as at 31 December 2010. The financial information on which this Interim Management Statement is based, and the data set out in the appendices to this Statement, are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with HSBC’s accounting policies as described in the Annual Report and Accounts 2010. A glossary of terms is also provided in the Annual Report and Accounts HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/12
We announced in November 2010 that, with effect from March 2011, within the context of the customer group/global business view of Group performance, Retail Banking and Wealth Management would be managed as a single global business. This business is the existing Personal Financial Services, with Global Asset Management moving from Global Banking and Markets to this new single business. Commentary in this Interim Management Statement related to Retail Banking and Wealth Management reflects the performance of Personal Financial Services and does not yet reflect the change in the structure. These changes will be reflected in our Interim Report 2011. The Board has adopted a policy of paying quarterly interim dividends on the ordinary shares. Under this policy, it is intended to have a pattern of three equal interim dividends with a variable fourth interim dividend. Dividends are declared in US dollars and, at the election of the shareholder, paid in cash in one of, or in a combination of, US dollars, sterling and Hong Kong dollars or, subject to the Board’s determination that a scrip dividend is to be offered in respect of that dividend, may be satisfied in whole or in part by the issue of new shares in lieu of a cash dividend. Shares quoted ex-dividend in London, Hong Kong, Paris and Bermuda Dividend record date in London, New York, Paris and Bermuda HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/15
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
The Interim Management Statement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to HSBC’s financial condition, results of operations and business. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about HSBC’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘intends’, ‘plans’, ‘believes’, ‘seeks’, ‘estimates’, ‘potential’ and ‘reasonably possible’, variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and it should not be assumed that they have been revised or updated in the light of new information or future events. Written and/or oral forward-looking statements may also be made in the periodic reports to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, summary financial statements to shareholders, proxy statements, offering circulars and prospectuses, press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by HSBC’s Directors, officers or employees to third parties, including financial analysts. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that a number of factors could cause actual results to differ, in some instances materially, from those anticipated or implied in any forward-looking statement. These include, but are not limited to:  changes in general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, such as continuing or deepening recessions and fluctuations in employment beyond those factored into consensus forecasts; changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates; volatility in equity markets; lack of liquidity in wholesale funding markets; illiquidity and downward price pressure in national real estate markets; adverse changes in central banks’ policies with respect to the provision of liquidity support to financial markets; heightened market concerns over sovereign creditworthiness in over-indebted countries; adverse changes in the funding status of public or private defined benefit pensions; and consumer perception as to the continuing availability of credit and price competition in the market segments we serve;  changes in government policy and regulation, including the monetary, interest rate and other policies of central banks and other regulatory authorities; initiatives to change the size, scope of activities and interconnectedness of financial institutions in connection with the implementation of stricter regulation of financial institutions in key markets worldwide; revised capital and liquidity benchmarks which could serve to deleverage bank balance sheets and lower returns available from the current business model and portfolio mix; imposition of levies or taxes designed to change business mix and risk appetite; the practices, pricing or responsibilities of financial institutions serving their consumer markets; expropriation, nationalisation, confiscation of assets and changes in legislation relating to foreign ownership; changes in bankruptcy legislation in the principal markets in which we operate and the consequences thereof; general changes in government policy that may significantly influence investor decisions; extraordinary government actions as a result of current market turmoil; other unfavourable political or diplomatic developments producing social instability or legal uncertainty which in turn may affect demand for our products and services; the costs, effects and outcomes of product regulatory reviews, actions or litigation, including any additional compliance requirements; and the effects of competition in the markets where we operate including increased competition from non-bank financial services companies, including securities firms; and factors specific to HSBC, including our success in adequately identifying the risks we face, such as the incidence of loan losses or delinquency, and managing those risks (through account management, hedging and other techniques). Effective risk management depends on, among other things, our ability through stress testing and other techniques to prepare for events that cannot be captured by the statistical models it uses; and our success in addressing operational, legal and regulatory, and litigation challenges. HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/16
Appendix – Selected financial information (unaudited)
Summary consolidated income statement
Changes in fair value of long-term debt issued and related Net income from other financial instruments designated at Net income/(expense) from financial instruments designated Gains less losses from financial investments . Total operating income .
Net insurance claims incurred and movement in liabilities to Net operating income before loan impairment charges and
other credit risk provisions .
Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions . Net operating income .
(10,369)
Operating profit .
Share of profit in associates and joint ventures . Profit before tax .
Profit after tax .
Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company . Profit attributable to non-controlling interests . Profit before tax by geographical region
HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/17
Summary consolidated balance sheet
Financial assets designated at fair value . 2,597,806
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities
1,274,820
Financial liabilities designated at fair value . 2,437,947
2,597,806
Capital structure
1,129,478
HSBC Holdings plc – Interim Management Statement/18
Loans and advances to customers
Loans and advances to customers by industry sector and by geographical region Gross loans
loans and by industry
advances sector as a
Hong Asia- Middle North Latin to
% of total
Europe Kong
Pacific East
America America customers gross loans
At 31 March 2011
63,683 1,016,417
203,804 80,823 67,247 19,560 38,707 35,371 445,512

Source: http://www.hsbc.com.tw/1/PA_ES_Content_Mgmt/content/taiwan_51/about/about02/news_release/20110509.pdf