a3239u
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the
month of February
HSBC Holdings plc
8
Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England
(Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or
Form 40-F).
Form
20-F
X
Form 40-F
25 February 2026
HSBC Holdings plc 2025
results
Georges Elhedery, Group CEO, said:
"2025 was a year of decisive action and swift execution, which is
reflected in our strong performance. Each of our four businesses
performed well and we have strong momentum across the bank. That is
why we are raising our ambition and targeting a 17% RoTE or better,
excluding notable items, in each year from 2026 to 2028. We are
also targeting year-on-year revenue growth over the same period on
the same basis, rising to 5% in 2028. We are becoming a simple,
more agile, focused bank, one that moves with the speed our
customers need to navigate the modern world. We are delivering
growth, investing for growth and we are executing our strategy with
discipline and precision. That gives us confidence in our ability
to continue delivering for our shareholders."
2025 financial performance (vs 2024)
-
Reported profit before tax decreased by $2.4bn to
$29.9bn, mainly
due to a $4.9bn year-on-year net adverse impact from notable
items. Profit after
tax decreased by $1.9bn to $23.1bn.
-
In 2025, notable items included dilution and impairment losses of
$2.1bn related to our associate Bank of Communications Co., Limited
('BoCom'), reserve recycling losses of $1.5bn following the
completion of the sale of our French retained portfolio of home and
certain other loans, legal provisions of $1.4bn and restructuring
and other related costs
associated
with our organisational simplification of $1.0bn. In 2024, notable
items included net losses relating to our disposals in Canada and
Argentina of $1.4bn.
- Constant
currency profit before tax excluding notable items increased by
$2.4bn to $36.6bn, from a
strong performance in Wealth in our International Wealth and
Premier Banking ('IWPB') and Hong Kong businesses, and from
Wholesale Transaction Banking in our Corporate and Institutional
Banking ('CIB') business. This was partly offset by
a
rise in expected credit losses and other credit
impairment charges ('ECL') and an increase in operating expenses
due to planned investment and inflation.
- RoTE
in 2025 was 13.3%, compared with 14.6% in 2024. Excluding notable
items, RoTE in 2025 was 17.2%, a rise of 1.6 percentage points compared
with 2024.
- Revenue
of $68.3bn increased by $2.4bn or 4% compared with
2024. The increase was
primarily due to fee and other income growth in Wealth from
Investment Distribution and Insurance, and in Wholesale Transaction
Banking, particularly in Foreign Exchange in CIB. This was partly
offset by the year-on-year impact of notable items,
mainly
relating to business disposals and a dilution loss
related to BoCom.
Constant currency revenue excluding notable items rose
by $3.4bn to $71.0bn.
-
Net interest income ('NII') of $34.8bn was $2.1bn higher than
2024 reflecting
the benefit of the reinvestment of our structural hedge at higher
yields, deposit balance growth and higher NII in Markets Treasury.
In addition, the increase included the non-recurrence of a $0.2bn
loss in 2024 on the early redemption of legacy securities. This was
partly
offset by the adverse
year-on-year impact of $1.6bn from business disposals in
Argentina and Canada, and margin compression on our deposits. The
growth in NII of $2.1bn also reflected a benefit from lower funding
costs associated with the trading book of
$1.7bn. Banking net
interest income ('banking NII'), which excludes these funding
costs,
increased by
$0.3bn to $44.1bn.
- Net
interest margin ('NIM') of 1.59% was 3 basis points ('bps')
higher, reflecting the
reinvestment of our structural hedge at higher
yields.
-
ECL were $3.9bn, an increase of $0.4bn compared with
2024, including
charges in both periods related to the commercial real estate
('CRE') sectors in Hong Kong and mainland China. In 2025, the
charge in this sector in Hong Kong of $0.7bn (2024: $0.1bn)
reflected higher allowances for new defaulted exposures, the impact
of an over-supply of
non-residential properties that
has put continued downward pressure on rental and capital values,
and updates to our models used for ECL calculations. The 2025
charge in the mainland China CRE sector was $0.2bn (2024:
$0.4bn). ECL were 39
bps of average gross loans, including loans and advances classified
as held for sale.
-
Operating expenses
increased by $3.4bn or 10% to $36.4bn. The increase primarily reflected notable items
in 2025 of $3.0bn, including legal provisions of $1.4bn,
restructuring and other related costs associated with our
organisational simplification of $1.0bn, and $0.5bn related to
disposals, wind-downs, acquisitions and related
costs.
-
Cost growth also reflected planned spend and investment in
technology, higher performance-related pay and the impacts of
inflation, partly offset by reductions related to our business
disposals and the benefits of our organisational
simplification.
- Target
basis operating expenses rose by 3%, in line with our cost growth target. This
increase primarily reflected higher planned spend and investment in
technology, higher performance-related pay and the impact of
inflation, partly offset by the benefits of our organisational
simplification.
- Customer
lending balances rose by $57.7bn including favourable foreign currency
translation differences. On a constant currency basis,
lending balances rose by $17.6bn, mainly in our UK business reflecting growth in
mortgage and commercial customer lending.
- Customer
accounts rose by $131.9bn,
including favourable foreign currency translation
differences. On a constant currency basis,
customer accounts increased by $67.6bn with growth in all our businesses,
particularly our Hong Kong business segment.
- Common
equity tier 1 ('CET1') capital ratio remained at
14.9%. This reflected an
increase in risk-weighted assets ('RWAs'), which was offset by an
increase in CET1 capital through capital generation net of
distributions. The increase in RWAs was mainly driven by foreign
currency translation differences and asset size
movements.
- The
Board has approved a fourth interim
dividend of $0.45 per share, resulting in a total of $0.75 per
share in respect of 2025.
4Q25 financial performance (vs 4Q24)
-
Reported profit before tax up $4.5bn to $6.8bn. The
increase included a $3.3bn year-on-year net favourable impact from
notable items, primarily due to the non-recurrence of the recycling
of foreign currency losses and other reserves of $5.2bn recognised
following the completion of sale of our business in Argentina in
4Q24, partly offset by reserve
recycling losses of $1.5bn
following the completion of the sale of our French retained
portfolio of home and certain other loans in 4Q25. The increase
also included growth in banking NII and lower
ECL. Reported
profit after tax up $4.6bn to $5.2bn.
-
Revenue of $16.4bn increased by $4.8bn or 42%, including a $3.6bn year-on-year impact from
notable items from the disposals mentioned above. The increase in
revenue also reflected growth in banking NII, as well as higher fee
and other income from Wealth. Constant currency revenue
excluding notable items increased by $1.0bn to
$17.7bn.
- ECL
down $0.5bn to $0.9bn,
primarily reflecting lower ECL on wholesale exposures, in
particular as 4Q24 included stage 3 charges relating to the CRE
sector in mainland China of $0.2bn and a charge in CIB relating to
a single UK corporate exposure.
- Operating
expenses increased by $0.7bn or 8% to $9.3bn. The increase reflected notable items, including
an increase in restructuring and other related costs associated
with our organisation simplification of $0.2bn. The increase also
reflected higher planned spend and investment in technology, higher
performance-related pay and the impact of
inflation, partly offset by the benefits of our
organisational simplification.
Outlook
Group financial targets
-
We are targeting a RoTE of 17% or better for 2026,
2027 and 2028, excluding notable items. Our revised target reflects momentum in our
earnings and the positive progress we are making in our strategic
execution.
-
We are targeting year-on-year growth in revenue
from 2026 to 2028, rising to 5% growth in 2028 compared with
2027 excluding notable
items and on a constant currency basis.
-
We maintain our dividend payout ratio target
basis of 50% in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Our target basis payout ratio is calculated as a
percentage of earnings per share ('EPS') excluding material notable
items and related impacts.
In respect of 2026:
-
We expect banking NII of at least
$45bn, based on our current
expectations for policy rates.
-
We expect ECL charges as a percentage of
average gross loans to be around 40bps in 2026 (including held for sale loan balances).
Over the medium term, we retain our planning range of
30-40bps.
- We
retain our commitment to Group-wide cost discipline. We are
targeting growth in
target basis operating expenses of approximately 1% compared with
2025.
-
Our target basis operating expenses measure excludes notable items
and includes the impact of simplification-related saves associated
with our announced reorganisation.
-
We intend to continue to manage the CET1 capital ratio
within our medium-term target range of 14%-14.5%. Capital may fall below our target range during
January 2026 owing to the privatisation of Hang Seng Bank, which
had a net CET1 capital impact of 110bps in January 2026 (based on
our CET1 capital ratio as at 31 December 2025).
This
included a day one impact of around 120bps on
CET1, partly offset by a release of around 10bps of incremental
hedging-related structural foreign exchange RWAs.
-
We expect to restore our CET1 capital ratio within our target range
through a combination of organic capital generation and not
initiating any further buy-backs until CET1 capital is back within,
or above, this range. A decision to recommence buy-backs will be
subject to our normal buy-back considerations and process on a
quarterly basis.
‹– Our
targets and expectations reflect our current outlook for the global
macroeconomic environment and market-dependent factors, such as
market-implied interest rates (as of end January 2026) and rates of
foreign exchange, as well as customer behaviour and activity
levels.
‹– We
do not reconcile our forward guidance on RoTE excluding notable
items, constant currency revenue excluding notable items, target
basis operating expenses, dividend payout ratio target basis or
banking NII to their equivalent reported
measures.
‹– See
pages 93 to 94 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2025 for a further
explanation of RoTE excluding notable items, constant currency
revenue excluding notable items, banking NII, target basis
operating expenses and dividend payout ratio target basis. For
further information on our CET1 ratio, see page 158 of the Annual
Report and Accounts 2025.
|
Key financial metrics
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended
|
|
Reported results
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
2023
|
|
Profit before tax ($m)
|
|
29,907
|
32,309
|
30,348
|
|
Profit after tax ($m)
|
|
23,131
|
24,999
|
24,559
|
|
Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and
other credit impairment charges (‘revenue’)
($m)
|
|
68,274
|
65,854
|
66,058
|
|
Cost efficiency ratio (%)
|
|
53.4
|
50.2
|
48.5
|
|
Net interest margin (%)
|
|
1.59
|
1.56
|
1.66
|
|
Basic earnings per share ($)
|
|
1.21
|
1.25
|
1.15
|
|
Diluted earnings per share ($)
|
|
1.20
|
1.24
|
1.14
|
|
Dividend
per ordinary share (in respect of the period) ($)1
|
|
0.75
|
0.87
|
0.61
|
|
Dividend
payout ratio (%)2
|
|
50
|
50
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative performance measures
|
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency profit before tax ($m)
|
|
29,907
|
32,384
|
29,802
|
|
Constant currency revenue ($m)
|
|
68,274
|
66,009
|
65,040
|
|
Constant
currency banking net interest income ($m)
|
|
44,084
|
43,550
|
42,515
|
|
Constant currency cost efficiency ratio (%)
|
|
53.4
|
50.2
|
48.7
|
|
Constant
currency profit before tax excluding notable items
($m)
|
|
36,617
|
34,181
|
32,841
|
|
Constant
currency revenue excluding notable items ($m)
|
|
71,020
|
67,591
|
64,835
|
|
Constant currency profit before tax excluding notable items and
strategic transactions ($m)
|
|
36,617
|
33,768
|
N/A
|
|
Constant currency revenue excluding notable items and strategic
transactions ($m)
|
|
71,020
|
66,377
|
N/A
|
|
Expected
credit losses and other credit impairment charges (annualised) as a
% of average gross loans and advances to customers, including held
for sale (%)
|
|
0.39
|
0.34
|
0.31
|
|
Basic earnings per share excluding material notable items and
related impacts ($)
|
|
1.51
|
1.31
|
1.22
|
|
Return
on average ordinary shareholders’ equity (annualised)
(%)
|
|
12.3
|
13.6
|
13.6
|
|
Return
on average tangible equity (annualised) (%)
|
|
13.3
|
14.6
|
14.6
|
|
Return
on average tangible equity excluding notable items (annualised)
(%)
|
|
17.2
|
15.6
|
16.0
|
|
Target
basis operating expenses ($m)
|
|
33,464
|
32,478
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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At 31
Dec
|
|
Balance sheet
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
2023
|
|
Total assets ($m)
|
|
3,233,034
|
3,017,048
|
3,038,677
|
|
Net loans and advances to customers ($m)
|
|
988,399
|
930,658
|
938,535
|
|
Constant
currency net loans and advances to customers ($m)
|
|
988,399
|
970,778
|
955,706
|
|
Customer accounts ($m)
|
|
1,786,828
|
1,654,955
|
1,611,647
|
|
Constant
currency customer accounts ($m)
|
|
1,786,828
|
1,719,240
|
1,641,000
|
|
Average
interest-earning assets, year to date ($m)
|
|
2,190,078
|
2,099,285
|
2,161,746
|
|
Loans and advances to customers as % of customer accounts
(%)
|
|
55.3
|
56.2
|
58.2
|
|
Total shareholders’ equity ($m)
|
|
198,225
|
184,973
|
185,329
|
|
Tangible ordinary shareholders’ equity ($m)
|
|
165,153
|
154,295
|
155,710
|
|
Net asset value per ordinary share at period end ($)
|
|
10.36
|
9.26
|
8.82
|
|
Tangible net asset value per ordinary share at period end
($)
|
|
9.64
|
8.61
|
8.19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Capital, leverage and liquidity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
equity tier 1 capital ratio (%)3,4
|
|
14.9
|
14.9
|
14.8
|
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Risk-weighted
assets ($m)3,4
|
|
888,647
|
838,254
|
854,114
|
|
Total
capital ratio (%)3,4
|
|
20.5
|
20.6
|
20.0
|
|
Leverage
ratio (%)3,4
|
|
5.3
|
5.6
|
5.6
|
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High-quality
liquid assets (liquidity value) ($m)4,5
|
|
702,123
|
649,210
|
647,505
|
|
Liquidity
coverage ratio (%)4,5
|
|
137
|
138
|
136
|
|
Net
stable funding ratio (%)4,5
|
|
143
|
143
|
138
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Share count
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period
end basic number of $0.50 ordinary shares outstanding, after
deducting own shares held (millions)
|
|
17,140
|
17,918
|
19,006
|
|
Period
end basic number of $0.50 ordinary shares outstanding and dilutive
potential ordinary shares, after deducting own shares held
(millions)
|
|
17,276
|
18,062
|
19,135
|
|
Average
basic number of $0.50 ordinary shares outstanding, after deducting
own shares held (millions)
|
|
17,427
|
18,357
|
19,478
|
‹– For
reconciliation and analysis of our reported results on a constant
currency basis, including lists of notable items, see page 76 of
the Annual Report and Accounts 2025. Definitions and calculations
of other alternative performance measures are included in
'Reconciliation of alternative performance measures' on page 92 of
the Annual Report and Accounts
1
In 2024, dividend per share includes the special dividend of $0.21
per ordinary share arising from the proceeds of the sale of our
banking business in Canada to Royal Bank of Canada.
2
Our dividend payout ratio is adjusted for material notable items
and related impacts, including all associated income statement
impacts relating to those items.
3
Regulatory capital ratios and requirements are based on the
transitional arrangements of the Capital Requirements Regulation in
force at the time. Effective 1 January 2025, the IFRS 9
transitional arrangements came to an end, followed by the end of
the CRR II grandfathering provisions on 28 June 2025.
4
Regulatory numbers and ratios are as presented at the date of
reporting. Small changes may exist between these numbers and ratios
and those submitted in regulatory filings. Where differences are
significant, we may restate in subsequent periods.
5
The liquidity coverage ratio is based on the average value of the
preceding 12 months. The net stable funding ratio is based on the
average value of four preceding quarters.
Group
Chairman's shareholder letter
It
is with great pride that I have begun my tenure as Group Chairman
of HSBC. I am truly privileged to serve such a remarkable
institution, working alongside exceptionally talented
colleagues.
Our
161-year history is firmly rooted in the objective set by HSBC's
founders - to establish a bank in Hong Kong and Shanghai that would
facilitate local and international trade.
By
not losing sight of that foundational objective and by remaining
true to our purpose and values, we have focused on what matters
most - our customers - moving forward together through these most
complex of times.
Building
on that forward momentum, the Board and I will continue to closely
partner with our highly capable CEO, Georges Elhedery, and his
management team who are accelerating the execution of our strategy,
with discipline and confidence.
A Modern HSBC: Simple and More Agile
A
key catalyst for achieving that acceleration was the introduction
in January 2025 of our new organisational structure centred on our
four businesses: Hong Kong, the UK, Corporate and Institutional
Banking, and International Wealth and Premier Banking.
By
halving the number of operating businesses and significantly
streamlining the new Operating Committee of the Group, we embarked
on a journey to become a simple and more agile organisation; a
modern institution that reflects its cherished legacy, while
embracing technological advances as a core enabler of future
growth, competitiveness, and, ultimately, customer
aspirations.
Today,
HSBC is clear on its core strengths, investing to further develop
our competitive advantages and deliver sustainable growth, with an
entirely attainable ambition to be the most trusted bank globally,
putting customers at the heart of everything we do.
Global Context
Global
growth in 2025 was stronger than expected, as the tariff-related
headwinds were offset by the significant momentum generated by AI
capital expenditure and trade growth, and by the support provided
by the ever-resilient US consumer.
The
global geopolitical context was marked by continued uncertainty.
The war in Ukraine, which has entered its fifth year, and conflicts
in the Middle East and elsewhere, continue to have significant
human consequences.
In
parallel, the changing approach to global trade relations has
increased economic uncertainty. But as the resilience of global
trade growth demonstrates, the inter-connectedness of the global
economy, underpinned by growing trade flows, is
compelling.
Faced
with the re-configuration of the globalised world, HSBC is
optimally positioned to help our customers capture the meaningful
opportunities that are driving the global economy forward, across
geographies and throughout our unique global network. Our strong
financial performance and material returns in 2025 point to that
dynamic, along with our focused approach to implementing our
strategic priorities.
2025 Performance
In
2025, we delivered reported profit before tax of $29.9bn. Our
return on average tangible equity was 13.3%, or 17.2% excluding the
impact of notable items.
We
delivered material returns for our shareholders. The Board approved
a fourth quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share, bringing the total
dividend announced for 2025 to $0.75 per share. In addition, we
announced two share buy-backs in respect of 2025 worth a total of
$6bn.
Dividends
paid in 2025, together with a more than 49% increase in the share
price, delivered a total shareholder return for the year of more
than 57%.
With
our realigned structure providing a decisive impetus, we achieved
broad-based profit generation through geographic and business
diversification. Our performance reflects that, as does our ability
to invest for growth, while continuing to optimise cost and capital
allocation. Indeed, we are keeping to our committed objective of
delivering $1.5bn of organisational simplification savings and
expect to have taken the relevant actions to achieve it by the end
of June 2026, which is six months earlier than
planned.
Against
this backdrop, we believe that the privatisation of Hang Seng Bank
is a milestone development that brings together two seminal
institutions that have served Hong Kong - a home market for the
Group - for generations. We are absolutely committed to building on
that valued legacy. While respecting Hang Seng's heritage and
retaining its brand and distinct customer proposition, we will
continue to invest and build on the complementary strengths of our
businesses, to the benefit of our valued customers and the
communities that we serve.
Sustainability
Our
ambition remains to become a net zero bank by 2050. Supporting our
customers is core to our strategy - financing their transition is
both critical to them and aligned to our net zero
ambition.
In
November 2025, we published our updated Net Zero Transition Plan,
setting out our commercially-grounded sustainability strategy,
which reflects the realities of an evolving global transition. We
also set out our updated interim financed emissions targets,
metrics and associated policies, seeking to remain science-aligned
and compatible with our own net zero ambition.
We
believe that supporting our customers' transition is one of the
most significant roles we can play in the global transition to net
zero. We aim to provide and facilitate between $750bn and $1tn of
sustainable finance and investment by 2030. In 2025, we provided
and facilitated $102bn in sustainable finance and investment,
bringing our cumulative total to $495.6bn since January 2020. This
puts us on track to meet our target by 2030.
Leadership and Board Changes
As
I begin my first full year as Group Chairman, I want to acknowledge
and pay tribute to Sir Mark Tucker's remarkable leadership and
exemplary commitment to the Group.
Over
a period of eight years, Mark helped steer HSBC through a number of
unprecedented challenges - a global pandemic, decades-high
inflation and profound shifts in the trade and geopolitical
landscape - leaving the Group more profitable, resilient, and
strongly positioned for accelerated growth. I am very grateful to
him for the trusted partnership, friendship, and his support in
ensuring a smooth handover.
We
also announced the appointment of Wei Sun Christianson as an
independent non-executive Director, with effect from 1 January
2026. Wei brings extensive banking and regulatory experience gained
over a 30-year international career, including as Co-CEO of Asia
Pacific at Morgan Stanley.
Ann
Godbehere will be stepping down as a Director of the Company and
retire from the Board at our 2026 AGM. I want to thank Ann for her
considerable contributions to the HSBC Board.
In
October, we announced the appointment of Angela McEntee as Group
Company Secretary with effect from 1 January 2026.
In
2025, the Board held meetings in Hong Kong, India, and London.
These were invaluable opportunities to meet with valued clients,
government representatives, regulators and colleagues.
We
also had productive engagements with our shareholders on important
Group-related issues at our Annual General Meeting in London and at
the Informal Meeting of our Hong Kong Shareholders.
Year Ahead
We
expect the global economy to expand in 2026. Despite significant
policy uncertainty, global trade is also set to grow, supported by
the expansion of new trade corridors and the boom in AI hardware
demand. Inflation should continue drifting downward, although with
divergence across markets. Somewhat uneven growth across industries
and geographies could contribute to periodic financial
volatility.
In
China, a stronger policy push should anchor its growth, and we
expect it to broadly maintain its expansion pace of recent years,
as structural reforms start to gain traction. As part of its
continued economic transformation, the emphasis will be on
strengthening domestic demand - particularly consumption, but also
investment. Services consumption will benefit from government
policy priorities, as will technology development. Hong Kong will
continue to benefit as the super-connector between mainland China
and the rest of the world. Buoyant markets and improvements in
consumption are expected to support its growth this
year.
Elsewhere
in Asia, robust consumption and rising exports generated impressive
growth in a number of markets, in ASEAN in particular. That
combination is expected to continue in 2026. In India, domestic
demand will likely be the main driver of growth, reflecting robust
consumption, as well as ongoing government infrastructure
investment.
Economic
diversification continues in the Middle East, with deep capital
reserves being deployed into significant investments in
infrastructure, technology, and human capital. The Asia-Middle East
trade, investment, and travel corridor continues to
grow.
Europe's
economy will be supported by fiscal expansion, particularly in
Germany, coupled with lower effective interest rates and steady
consumption growth. We see euro area growth maintaining its recent
pace over the next year. In the UK, greater fiscal headroom should
give markets and businesses more confidence. Lower expected
inflation and interest rates should provide a tailwind for
consumption growth.
The
US should be a key driver of global growth, reaping the benefits of
sizeable investments in AI, tax cuts and incentives, as well as
substantial deregulation.
Our Colleagues
I
will end where I began, by recognising and wholeheartedly thanking
our HSBC colleagues. They are the ones who deliver for our
customers, day in and day out, with excellence, dedication, and
respect.
They
are the backbone of the Group, embodying our high-performance
culture. Their commitment to our customers and to maintaining and
further strengthening the relationships we have built with them is
what set us apart in 2025 and what will help us thrive going
forward, to the benefit of our shareholders.
Brendan Nelson
Group Chairman
25 February 2026
Group
CEO's shareholder letter
Dear fellow shareholders,
In
previous letters I set out a clear agenda to unlock HSBC's full
potential. 2025 marked a year of decisive action and swift
execution. We are performing, transforming and investing for growth
as demand for globally-connected financial services increases,
especially in the world's fastest-growing regions.
We
have aligned our structure with our strategy and strengthened our
four complementary businesses. We are becoming a simple, more
agile, focused bank built for a fast-changing world. One that stays
true to our strong foundations and hallmark financial strength yet
moves with the speed our customers need to navigate the modern
world.
The
dynamic market environment shows why our global network, deep local
expertise built over generations and financial strength set us
apart. It also shows why our customers continue to turn to us as
their reliable and trusted financial partner.
New targets: 2026-2028
Last
February, we set out a three-year target of a mid-teens return on
average tangible equity ('RoTE') in each of the three years from
2025 to 2027, excluding notable items. We made clear progress
against this target in 2025. That is why we are now raising our
ambition and targeting 17% RoTE or better in each year from 2026 to
2028, excluding notable items. We are also targeting year-on-year
revenue growth over the same period rising to 5% in 2028 compared
with 2027, excluding notable items. We maintain our dividend payout
ratio target basis of 50% in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Our target basis
payout ratio is calculated as a percentage of EPS, excluding
material notable items and related impacts.
Strong performance
On
a reported basis, profit before tax of $29.9bn fell 7% year-on-year
due to the impact of notable items. These included dilution and
impairment losses of $2.1bn related to BoCom, legal provisions of
$1.4bn and $1.0bn of restructuring and other related costs
associated with our organisational simplification. On this basis,
we delivered a RoTE of 13.3%.
Excluding
notable items, our RoTE was 17.2% achieving our 'mid-teens, or
better' target. Our revenue increased 5% year-on-year to $71bn and
our profit before tax grew 7% to $36.6bn, excluding notable items
on a constant currency basis. Our common equity tier 1 ('CET1')
capital ratio was 14.9%, reflecting our long-standing financial
strength.
We
maintained tight cost discipline, managing target basis cost growth
to around 3%, thereby achieving our target. This strong performance
enabled us to announce a total ordinary dividend per share for 2025
of $0.75, or $12.9bn, an increase of 14% on the prior year. In
addition, we completed $6bn of share buy-backs taking total returns
to $18.9bn.
Momentum
Our
four businesses are built on customer trust and performed well.
Revenue and deposits grew in each and all four delivered RoTE of
mid-teens, or better, excluding notable items. We saw growth
accelerate in areas of core strength and we are actively investing
in modern technology to enhance innovation, productivity and
customer experience.
Turning
to business-line performance on a year-on-year and constant
currency basis, our market-leading Hong Kong business generated
revenue of $15.9bn, or 6% growth. Our deposit base grew by 7% to
more than $540bn, helping us maintain our number one position in
Hong Kong with market share of 25%. Our UK business delivered
revenue of $12.9bn, an increase of 5%, supported by robust balance
sheet growth with customer loans increasing by 6% to more than
$300bn. CIB increased revenue by 3% to $27.6bn, and we generated
$13.1bn of fee and other income, which was 7% higher than the prior
year.
In
2025, we facilitated around $900bn in trade, which is comparable to
the economic output of a G20 economy. This represents the
equivalent of around $2.5bn of goods and services moving through
our global network every single day. This scale, which gives access
to 86% of world trade flows, is why we were voted in a survey of
13,000 corporates as Euromoney's 'World's Best Trade Finance Bank'
for the ninth consecutive year. Across our network we processed
around $500tn of payment transactions in 130 currencies, equivalent
to almost $1bn every minute. That is why 30,000 customers surveyed
by Euromoney voted HSBC the number one payments bank in products,
services and technology.
In
IWPB, revenue was $14.5bn, an increase of 5%. Wealth fee and other
income across all our businesses was $9.4bn, up 24%. At 31 December
2025, bank-wide Wealth balances were $2.1tn, of which more than
$1tn was booked in Asia, reflecting our position as the leading
wealth manager in Asia and the Middle East. Given the importance of
managing customer deposits as well as their invested assets, we are
changing our wealth disclosures. In 2026, we will replace Invested
assets (2025: $1.5tn) with a new calculation of Wealth balances.
The new disclosure adds our wealth customers' deposits of $608bn
and removes $580bn of Asset Management third-party distribution
assets. On this new basis, Wealth balances in 2025 were
$1.6tn.
In
2025, we were pleased to update our Net Zero Transition Plan, which
reaffirms our ambition to become a net zero bank by 2050 and
emphasises the importance of supporting our customers in their
transitions.
Discipline
We
expect to have taken action to deliver our $1.5bn organisational
simplification saves by the first half of 2026, six months ahead of
plan. The initiative is designed to make HSBC simple and more agile
with an immaterial revenue impact. Cost efficiency is one of the
key benefits, clearer accountability and greater collaboration are
others. The saves will be taken straight to the bottom
line.
We
have reviewed our portfolio against our strategic priorities and
are moving at pace to exit non-strategic or low-returning
activities. This initiative is expected to release $1.5bn of
incremental investment capacity, which we are actively reallocating
to areas of competitive strength where we can generate accretive
returns. In 2025, we announced 11 exits, of which three have fully
completed. These are in addition to the two transactions we
announced in 2024.
Taken
together, the completed and announced exits will generate $0.7bn in
annualised cost savings and exits in active execution, including
activities under strategic review, are expected to generate a
further $0.6bn.
Following
the privatisation of Hang Seng Bank, reported cost synergies across
HSBC and Hang Seng Bank will release $0.3bn, which we will direct
towards growth opportunities in Hong Kong. To reflect this, we are
increasing our medium-term cost reallocation commitment from $1.5bn
to $1.8bn.
Investing for growth
Our
$13.7bn privatisation of Hang Seng Bank brings together 255 years
of history and heritage, combining global reach and local depth. It
allows us to scale capabilities across both banks for all
customers. Hong Kong is a dynamic economy, a top three global
financial centre and a thriving trade gateway. It is a
super-connector between mainland China and the world. It is also
poised to become the world's leading cross-border wealth hub by
2029. The privatisation of Hang Seng Bank reflects our confidence
and conviction in Hong Kong's future growth.
In
our home markets, we are expanding the number of Wealth Centres and
enhancing our wealth capabilities. In Hong Kong we opened five new
state-of-the-art Wealth Centres. They provide a space where our
Private Banking and Premier customers can meet our wealth
specialists to plan, invest and manage their long-term financial
future. In the UK, our flagship Wealth Centre launched in Mayfair,
London, and we opened a second in Leeds, a major regional wealth
hub.
Also
in the UK, investment in our Business Banking coverage model is
generating results. We are growing customer numbers, lowering
attrition rates and seeing greater advocacy.
In
IWPB we opened a further 20 new Wealth Centres focusing on Asia and
the Middle East, excluding those in markets under strategic review.
These are in many of the world's fastest-growing wealth economies,
such as mainland China, Singapore and the UAE. We became the
world's first global asset manager to establish an onshore platform
in the UAE, offering retail and institutional investors access to
10 new funds. We refreshed our Premier proposition for affluent
customers in four markets and it is now live in seven.
In
CIB, we are using digital innovation to serve customers faster. Our
tokenised deposits now offer next-generation real time payments
across our network. They are available in Hong Kong, Singapore, the
UK and Luxembourg. Other markets will follow in 2026. With
mobile-first consumers changing customer payment choices, we are
changing digital wallet collection capabilities. Our Digital
Merchant Services solution allows omnichannel payments, making
e-commerce easier and more efficient for retailers. It is currently
available in Hong Kong, India and Singapore, with six more markets
launching in 2026.
We
are also reengineering HSBC while focusing on resilience and risk
management. We are modernising the bank through AI and automation
to enhance customer experience, increase productivity and boost
efficiency. We have more than 100 GenAI active use cases and are
increasing AI partnerships to accelerate adoption of cutting-edge
technologies. More than 31,000 of our engineers now use an
AI-enabled coding assistant and our HSBC Productivity Suite tool is
available to around 85% of our colleagues to help summarise,
analyse and translate documents.
High performance culture
A
clear strategy sets our direction. A strong culture is what turns
it into results. This is why we are investing to build a
high-performance culture. First, we refreshed our ambition: 'To be
the most trusted bank globally, putting customers at the heart of
everything we do'.
Second,
we launched six new Leadership Principles and How We Lead, our new
Group-wide leadership framework. All our senior leaders, and the
broader Managing Director cohort, have now attended a two-day How
We Lead event and 86% surveyed believe it is creating a positive
cultural change. In 2026, we will roll it out to our broader people
leaders globally. In the spirit of our Leadership Principle that
'great leaders build better leaders', more than 150 of our senior
leaders will facilitate a How We Lead event in 2026.
Our people
I
would like to thank Sir Mark Tucker for his exceptional leadership
over the last eight years and congratulate Brendan Nelson on his
appointment as Group Chairman. I look forward to continue working
with Brendan as we pursue our clear agenda to unlock HSBC's full
potential.
I
would also like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues
for their many valuable contributions to our results. It is a
privilege to work with such talented people. Their dedication,
commitment and passion to deliver for our customers truly
differentiates HSBC and is key to delivering sustainable long-term
growth for you, our shareholders.
Georges Elhedery
Group CEO
25 February 2026
Distribution of results by business segments1
|
Constant
currency profit/(loss) before tax
|
|
|
Year ended 31 Dec
|
|
|
2025
|
|
|
2024
|
|
|
|
$m
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
$m
|
%
|
|
Hong Kong
|
9,576
|
32.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,129
|
28.2
|
|
UK
|
6,705
|
22.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,823
|
21.1
|
|
Corporate and Institutional Banking
|
11,386
|
38.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,283
|
34.8
|
|
International Wealth and Premier Banking
|
4,367
|
14.6
|
|
|
|
|
3,969
|
12.3
|
|
Corporate
Centre
|
(2,127)
|
(7.1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,180
|
3.6
|
|
Profit before tax
|
29,907
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,384
|
100.0
|
1
Effective from 1 January 2025, the Group's operating segments
comprise four new businesses: Hong Kong, UK, Corporate and
Institutional Banking ('CIB') and International Wealth and Premier
Banking ('IWPB'), along with Corporate Centre. All segmental
comparative data has been re-presented on this basis.
Distribution of results by legal entity
|
Reported
profit/(loss) before tax
|
|
|
|
Year ended 31 Dec
|
|
|
|
2025
|
|
|
2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
$m
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
$m
|
|
%
|
|
|
HSBC UK Bank plc
|
7,409
|
24.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,213
|
|
22.2
|
|
|
HSBC Bank plc
|
(224)
|
(0.7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,645
|
|
8.2
|
|
|
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
|
19,588
|
65.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,470
|
|
63.4
|
|
|
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
|
1,090
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,114
|
|
3.4
|
|
|
HSBC North America Holdings Inc.
|
1,198
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
|
832
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
HSBC Bank Canada
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
186
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
Grupo Financiero HSBC, S.A. de C.V.
|
649
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
|
730
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
Other
trading entities1
|
1,798
|
6.0
|
|
|
|
|
1,829
|
|
5.7
|
|
|
Holding
companies, shared service centres and intra-group
eliminations
|
(1,601)
|
(5.4)
|
|
|
|
|
(2,710
|
)
|
(8.4)
|
|
|
Profit before tax
|
29,907
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,309
|
|
100.0
|
|
1
Other trading entities includes the results of entities located in
Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia (including our share of the
results of Saudi Awwal Bank) which do not consolidate into HSBC
Bank Middle East Limited.
HSBC constant currency profit before tax and balance sheet
data
|
|
2025
|
|
|
Hong Kong
|
UK
|
CIB
|
IWPB
|
Corporate Centre
|
Total
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Net operating income/(expense) before change in expected credit
losses and other impairment charges1
|
15,878
|
12,938
|
27,637
|
14,520
|
(2,699)
|
68,274
|
|
- external
|
10,157
|
13,856
|
39,098
|
12,458
|
(7,295)
|
68,274
|
|
- inter-segment
|
5,721
|
(918)
|
(11,461)
|
2,062
|
4,596
|
-
|
|
of
which: net interest income/(expense)2
|
12,082
|
11,096
|
14,532
|
7,397
|
(10,313
)
|
34,794
|
|
Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment
charges
|
(1,476)
|
(696)
|
(696)
|
(892)
|
(90)
|
(3,850)
|
|
Net operating income/(expense)
|
14,402
|
12,242
|
26,941
|
13,628
|
(2,789
)
|
64,424
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
(4,826)
|
(5,537)
|
(15,556)
|
(9,285)
|
(1,224)
|
(36,428)
|
|
Operating profit/(loss)
|
9,576
|
6,705
|
11,385
|
4,343
|
(4,013
)
|
27,996
|
|
Share
of profit in associates and joint ventures less
impairment3
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
24
|
1,886
|
1,911
|
|
Constant currency profit before tax
|
9,576
|
6,705
|
11,386
|
4,367
|
(2,127)
|
29,907
|
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
Share of HSBC's constant currency profit before tax
|
32.0
|
22.4
|
38.1
|
14.6
|
(7.1)
|
100.0
|
|
Constant currency cost efficiency ratio
|
30.4
|
42.8
|
56.3
|
63.9
|
(45.4)
|
53.4
|
|
Constant currency balance sheet data
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Loans and advances to customers (net)
|
229,491
|
303,698
|
305,022
|
150,047
|
141
|
988,399
|
|
Interests in associates and joint ventures
|
-
|
-
|
83
|
522
|
28,972
|
29,577
|
|
Total external assets
|
437,933
|
451,492
|
1,793,162
|
416,332
|
134,115
|
3,233,034
|
|
Customer accounts
|
543,381
|
364,323
|
597,719
|
281,058
|
347
|
1,786,828
|
|
Constant
currency risk-weighted assets4
|
139,628
|
152,973
|
408,687
|
89,876
|
97,483
|
888,647
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
Net operating income/(expense) before change in expected credit
losses and other credit impairment charges
|
15,047
|
12,342
|
26,772
|
13,817
|
(1,969)
|
66,009
|
|
- external
|
9,704
|
13,060
|
39,012
|
11,175
|
(6,942)
|
66,009
|
|
- inter-segment
|
5,343
|
(718)
|
(12,240)
|
2,642
|
4,973
|
-
|
|
of which: net interest income/(expense)2
|
11,997
|
10,355
|
14,519
|
8,081
|
(12,497)
|
32,455
|
|
Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment
charges
|
(1,077)
|
(415)
|
(878)
|
(993)
|
(29)
|
(3,392)
|
|
Net operating income/(expense)
|
13,970
|
11,927
|
25,894
|
12,824
|
(1,998)
|
62,617
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
(4,841)
|
(5,104)
|
(14,612)
|
(8,900)
|
311
|
(33,146)
|
|
Operating profit/(loss)
|
9,129
|
6,823
|
11,282
|
3,924
|
(1,687)
|
29,471
|
|
Share of profit/(loss) in associates and joint
ventures
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
45
|
2,867
|
2,913
|
|
Constant currency profit/(loss) before tax
|
9,129
|
6,823
|
11,283
|
3,969
|
1,180
|
32,384
|
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
Share of HSBC's constant currency profit before tax
|
28.2
|
21.1
|
34.8
|
12.3
|
3.6
|
100.0
|
|
Constant currency cost efficiency ratio
|
32.2
|
41.4
|
54.6
|
64.4
|
15.8
|
50.2
|
|
Constant currency balance sheet data
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Loans and advances to customers (net)
|
235,053
|
285,778
|
297,877
|
144,027
|
8,043
|
970,778
|
|
Interests in associates and joint ventures
|
-
|
-
|
132
|
557
|
29,039
|
29,728
|
|
Total external assets
|
433,588
|
432,683
|
1,729,531
|
414,734
|
129,265
|
3,139,801
|
|
Customer accounts
|
506,557
|
352,833
|
587,926
|
271,588
|
336
|
1,719,240
|
|
Constant currency risk-weighted assets4
|
143,777
|
142,763
|
400,687
|
89,739
|
88,518
|
865,484
|
1 Includes a loss of $1.1bn inclusive of
reserves recycling as a result of the dilution of our shareholding in BoCom.
See Note 18 on pages 319 to 322 of the Annual Report and Accounts
2025.
2
Includes $9.7bn (2024: $11.4bn) of interest expense in Corporate
Centre for the internal cost to fund our Markets Treasury
function.
3 Includes an impairment loss of
$1.0bn recognised
in respect of the Group's investment in BoCom. See Note 18 on pages
319 to 322 of the Annual Report and Accounts
2025.
4
Constant currency risk-weighted assets are calculated using
reported risk-weighted assets adjusted for the effects of currency
translation differences.
Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2025
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Net interest income
|
34,794
|
32,733
|
|
|
-
interest income1,2
|
97,872
|
108,631
|
|
|
-
interest expense3
|
(63,078)
|
(75,898
|
)
|
|
Net fee income
|
13,343
|
12,301
|
|
|
- fee income
|
17,608
|
16,266
|
|
|
- fee expense
|
(4,265)
|
(3,965
|
)
|
|
Net
income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a
fair value basis4
|
19,682
|
21,116
|
|
|
Net income/(expense) from assets and liabilities of insurance
businesses, including related derivatives, measured at fair value
through profit or loss
|
11,175
|
5,901
|
|
|
Insurance
finance expense
|
(11,197)
|
(5,978
|
)
|
|
Insurance service result
|
1,825
|
1,310
|
|
|
-
insurance service revenue
|
3,228
|
2,752
|
|
|
- insurance service expense
|
(1,403)
|
(1,442
|
)
|
|
Losses
recognised on sale of business operations5
|
(47)
|
(1,752
|
)
|
|
Other
operating income/(expense)6,7
|
(1,301)
|
223
|
|
|
Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and
other credit impairment charges8
|
68,274
|
65,854
|
|
|
Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment
charges
|
(3,850)
|
(3,414
|
)
|
|
Net operating income
|
64,424
|
62,440
|
|
|
Employee compensation and benefits
|
(19,553)
|
(18,465
|
)
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
(11,959)
|
(10,498
|
)
|
|
Depreciation
and impairment of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use
assets9
|
(1,971)
|
(1,845
|
)
|
|
Amortisation
and impairment of intangible assets
|
(2,945)
|
(2,235
|
)
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
(36,428)
|
(33,043
|
)
|
|
Operating profit
|
27,996
|
29,397
|
|
|
Share
of profit in associates and joint ventures
|
2,911
|
2,912
|
|
|
Impairment
of interest in associate7
|
(1,000)
|
-
|
|
|
Profit before tax
|
29,907
|
32,309
|
|
|
Tax expense
|
(6,776)
|
(7,310
|
)
|
|
Profit for the year
|
23,131
|
24,999
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
- ordinary shareholders of the parent company
|
21,102
|
22,917
|
|
|
- other equity holders
|
1,183
|
1,062
|
|
|
- non-controlling interests
|
846
|
1,020
|
|
|
Profit for the year
|
23,131
|
24,999
|
|
|
|
$
|
$
|
|
Basic earnings per ordinary share
|
1.21
|
1.25
|
|
Diluted earnings per ordinary share
|
1.20
|
1.24
|
1 Includes $83.3bn (2024:
$93.4bn) of interest recognised on financial assets measured at
amortised cost and $14.5bn (2024: $15.3bn) of interest recognised
on financial assets measured at fair value through other
comprehensive income. In 2024, it also includes a net $0.2bn loss
related to the early redemption of legacy
securities.
2 Interest income is
calculated using the effective interest method and comprises
interest recognised on financial assets measured at either
amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive
income.
3 Interest expense
includes $60.1bn (2024: $72.6bn) of interest on financial
instruments, excluding interest on debt instruments issued by HSBC
for funding purposes that are designated under the fair value
option to reduce an accounting mismatch and on derivatives managed
in conjunction with those debt instruments included in interest
expense.
4 In 2025, the amounts
include a $0.1bn (2024: $0.1bn gain) mark-to-market gain on
interest rate hedging of the portfolio of retained loans post sale
of our retail banking operations in France and a $0.1bn fair value
loss on Grupo Financiero Galicia's ('Galicia') American Depositary
Receipts ('ADRs') received as purchase consideration from the sale
of our
business in Argentina.
In 2024, the amounts include a $0.3bn gain on the foreign exchange
hedging of the proceeds from the sale of our banking business in
Canada.
5 In
2024, the amount includes a $1.0bn loss on disposal and a $5.2bn
loss on the recycling in foreign currency translation reserve
losses and other reserves arising on sale of our business in
Argentina. This was partly offset by a gain of $4.6bn, inclusive of
the recycling of $0.6bn in foreign currency translation reserve
losses and $0.4bn of other reserves
losses
but
excluding the $0.3bn gain on the foreign exchange hedging (see
footnote 4 above) on the sale of our banking business in
Canada.
6 Includes a loss on net monetary positions of $0.2bn (2024:
$1.2bn) as a result of applying IAS 29 'Financial Reporting in
Hyperinflationary Economies'.
7 In
2025, the amounts include recycling of cumulative fair value losses
of $1.5bn relating to the French retained portfolio of home and
certain other loans following the completion of its sale to a
consortium comprising Rothesay Life plc and CCF and a loss of
$1.1bn inclusive of reserves recycling as a result of the dilution
of our shareholding in BoCom. We
have
also recognised a $1.0bn impairment loss following an impairment
test on the carrying value of the Group's investment in BoCom in
'Impairment of interest in associate'. See
Note 18 on pages 319 to 322 of the Annual Report and Accounts
2025.
8 Also referred to as revenue.
9 Includes depreciation
of the right-of-use assets of $0.7bn (2024:
$0.7bn).
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2025
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Profit for the year
|
23,131
|
24,999
|
|
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
|
|
|
|
Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss when
specific conditions are met:
|
|
|
|
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive
income
|
3,036
|
163
|
|
- fair value gains/(losses)
|
1,525
|
41
|
|
- fair
value losses/(gains) transferred to the income statement on
disposal
|
1,328
|
69
|
|
-
expected credit (recoveries)/losses recognised in the income
statement
|
(19)
|
(6)
|
|
-
disposal of subsidiary
|
745
|
85
|
|
- income taxes
|
(543)
|
(26)
|
|
Cash flow hedges
|
1,773
|
(52)
|
|
- fair value gains/(losses)
|
749
|
(282
)
|
|
- fair value (gains)/losses reclassified to the income
statement
|
1,611
|
(135
)
|
|
- disposal of subsidiary
|
-
|
262
|
|
- income taxes
|
(587)
|
103
|
|
Share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of associates and
joint ventures
|
54
|
462
|
|
- share for the year
|
110
|
462
|
|
- fair value gains transferred to the income statement on
disposal
|
-
|
-
|
|
- other
comprehensive income reclassified to the income statement on
disposal of interest in an associate
|
(56)
|
-
|
|
Net
finance income/(expenses) from insurance contracts
|
(682)
|
(142)
|
|
- net
finance expenses
|
7
|
(191)
|
|
-
disposal of subsidiary
|
(687)
|
-
|
|
- income taxes
|
(2)
|
49
|
|
Exchange differences
|
6,771
|
833
|
|
-
foreign exchange losses reclassified to the income statement on
disposal or dilution of a foreign operation
|
208
|
5,816
|
|
- other exchange differences
|
6,563
|
(4,983
)
|
|
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or
loss:
|
|
|
|
Fair value gains on property revaluation
|
14
|
5
|
|
- fair
value gains
|
14
|
5
|
|
-
income taxes
|
-
|
-
|
|
Remeasurement
of defined benefit asset/(liability)
|
(184)
|
(228)
|
|
- before income taxes
|
(190)
|
(342)
|
|
- income taxes
|
6
|
114
|
|
Changes
in fair value of financial liabilities designated at fair value
upon initial recognition arising from changes in own credit
risk
|
(479)
|
(439)
|
|
-
before income taxes
|
(642)
|
(579)
|
|
-
income taxes
|
163
|
140
|
|
Equity instruments designated at fair value through other
comprehensive income
|
98
|
99
|
|
- fair value gains/(losses)
|
127
|
141
|
|
- income taxes
|
(29)
|
(42)
|
|
Effects of hyperinflation
|
140
|
1,239
|
|
Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the year, net of
tax
|
10,541
|
1,940
|
|
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year
|
33,672
|
26,939
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
- ordinary shareholders of the parent company
|
31,478
|
24,833
|
|
- other equity holders
|
1,183
|
1,062
|
|
- non-controlling interests
|
1,011
|
1,044
|
|
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the year
|
33,672
|
26,939
|
|
Consolidated balance sheet
|
|
|
|
at 31 December 2025
|
|
|
|
|
At
|
|
|
31 Dec 2025
|
31 Dec 2024
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
Cash and balances at central banks
|
242,859
|
267,674
|
|
Hong Kong Government certificates of indebtedness
|
44,063
|
42,293
|
|
Trading assets
|
366,153
|
314,842
|
|
Financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily measured at
fair value through profit or loss
|
133,063
|
115,769
|
|
Derivatives
|
237,740
|
268,637
|
|
Loans and advances to banks
|
108,462
|
102,039
|
|
Loans and advances to customers
|
988,399
|
930,658
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading
|
298,392
|
252,549
|
|
Financial investments
|
567,211
|
493,166
|
|
Assets held for sale
|
11,115
|
27,234
|
|
Prepayments, accrued income and other assets
|
184,794
|
152,740
|
|
Current tax assets
|
864
|
1,313
|
|
Interests in associates and joint ventures
|
29,577
|
28,909
|
|
Goodwill and intangible assets
|
13,107
|
12,384
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
7,235
|
6,841
|
|
Total assets
|
3,233,034
|
3,017,048
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
Hong Kong currency notes in circulation
|
44,063
|
42,293
|
|
Deposits by banks
|
97,952
|
73,997
|
|
Customer accounts
|
1,786,828
|
1,654,955
|
|
Repurchase agreements - non-trading
|
204,974
|
180,880
|
|
Trading liabilities
|
72,122
|
65,982
|
|
Financial liabilities designated at fair value
|
158,456
|
138,727
|
|
Derivatives
|
237,854
|
264,448
|
|
Debt securities in issue
|
99,675
|
105,785
|
|
Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale
|
23,382
|
29,011
|
|
Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities
|
142,123
|
130,340
|
|
Current tax liabilities
|
3,037
|
1,729
|
|
Insurance contract liabilities
|
122,955
|
107,629
|
|
Provisions
|
3,441
|
1,724
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
2,100
|
1,317
|
|
Subordinated liabilities
|
28,406
|
25,958
|
|
Total liabilities
|
3,027,368
|
2,824,775
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
Called up share capital
|
8,588
|
8,973
|
|
Share premium account
|
111
|
14,810
|
|
Other equity instruments
|
20,716
|
19,070
|
|
Other reserves
|
(795
)
|
(10,282
)
|
|
Retained earnings
|
169,605
|
152,402
|
|
Total shareholders' equity
|
198,225
|
184,973
|
|
Non-controlling interests
|
7,441
|
7,300
|
|
Total equity
|
205,666
|
192,273
|
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
3,233,034
|
3,017,048
|
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2025
|
|
|
|
Other reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Called up
share capital
and share
premium
|
Other
equity
instru-ments
|
Financial
assets at
FVOCI
reserve
|
Cash
flow
hedging
reserve
|
Foreign
exchange
reserve
|
Merger
and other
reserves
|
Insurance
finance
reserve1
|
Retained earnings
|
Total
share-
holders'
equity
|
Non-
controlling
interests
|
Total
equity
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
At 1 Jan 2025
|
23,783
|
19,070
|
(3,246)
|
(1,079)
|
(32,887)
|
26,328
|
602
|
152,402
|
184,973
|
7,300
|
192,273
|
|
Profit for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
22,285
|
22,285
|
846
|
23,131
|
|
Other comprehensive income (net of tax)
|
-
|
-
|
2,926
|
1,649
|
6,863
|
14
|
(602)
|
(474)
|
10,376
|
165
|
10,541
|
|
- debt
instruments at fair value through other comprehensive
income2
|
-
|
-
|
2,267
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,267
|
24
|
2,291
|
|
-
equity instruments designated at fair value through other
comprehensive income
|
-
|
-
|
84
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
84
|
14
|
98
|
|
- cash flow hedges
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,700
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,700
|
73
|
1,773
|
|
-
changes in fair value of financial liabilities designated at fair
value upon initial recognition arising from changes in own credit
risk
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(479)
|
(479)
|
-
|
(479)
|
|
-
property revaluation
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
14
|
|
-
remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(189)
|
(189)
|
5
|
(184)
|
|
-
share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint
ventures
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
110
|
110
|
-
|
110
|
|
- effects of hyperinflation
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
140
|
140
|
-
|
140
|
|
-
foreign exchange reclassified to income statement on disposal or
dilution of a foreign operation3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
208
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
208
|
-
|
208
|
|
- other
reserves reclassified to income statement on disposal or dilution
of a foreign operation4
|
-
|
-
|
745
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(687)
|
(56)
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
|
-
insurance finance income/(expense) recognised in other
comprehensive income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
|
- exchange differences
|
-
|
-
|
(170)
|
(51)
|
6,655
|
-
|
80
|
-
|
6,514
|
49
|
6,563
|
|
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
-
|
-
|
2,926
|
1,649
|
6,863
|
14
|
(602)
|
21,811
|
32,661
|
1,011
|
33,672
|
|
Shares issued under employee remuneration and
share plans
|
116
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(116)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Share
premium reclassification to retained earnings5
|
(14,810)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14,810
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Capital
redemption reserves reclassification to retained
earnings5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,755)
|
-
|
1,755
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Capital
securities issued6
|
-
|
4,096
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4,096
|
-
|
4,096
|
|
Dividends to shareholders
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(12,764)
|
(12,764)
|
(718)
|
(13,482)
|
|
Redemption
of securities7
|
-
|
(2,450)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2,450)
|
-
|
(2,450)
|
|
Cost of
share-based payment arrangements
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
621
|
621
|
-
|
621
|
|
Transfers
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Share
buy-back9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(8,039)
|
(8,039)
|
-
|
(8,039)
|
|
Cancellation
of shares
|
(390)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
390
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Other
movements10
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
(875)
|
(873)
|
(152)
|
(1,025)
|
|
At 31 Dec 2025
|
8,699
|
20,716
|
(319)
|
570
|
(26,024)
|
24,978
|
-
|
169,605
|
198,225
|
7,441
|
205,666
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
(continued)
|
|
for the
year ended 31 December 2024
|
|
|
|
|
Other reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Called
up share capital
and
share premium
|
Other
equity
instru-ments
|
Financial assets at FVOCI reserve
|
Cash flow
hedging
reserve
|
Foreign
exchange
reserve
|
Merger
and
other reserves
|
Insurance
finance
reserve1
|
Retained
earnings
|
Total
share-
holders'
equity
|
Non-
controlling
interests
|
Total
equity
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
At 1 Jan 2024
|
24,369
|
17,719
|
(3,507)
|
(1,033)
|
(33,753)
|
28,601
|
785
|
152,148
|
185,329
|
7,281
|
192,610
|
|
Profit for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
23,979
|
23,979
|
1,020
|
24,999
|
|
Other comprehensive income (net of tax)
|
-
|
-
|
259
|
(46)
|
863
|
5
|
(183)
|
1,018
|
1,916
|
24
|
1,940
|
|
-
debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive
income
|
-
|
-
|
62
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
62
|
16
|
78
|
|
-
equity instruments designated at fair value through other
comprehensive income
|
-
|
-
|
75
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
75
|
24
|
99
|
|
- cash flow hedges
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(312)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(312)
|
(2)
|
(314
)
|
|
-
changes in fair value of financial liabilities designated at fair
value upon initial recognition arising from changes in own credit
risk
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(439)
|
(439)
|
-
|
(439)
|
|
-
property revaluation
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
|
-
remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(244)
|
(244)
|
16
|
(228)
|
|
-
share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint
ventures
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
462
|
462
|
-
|
462
|
|
- effects of hyperinflation
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,239
|
1,239
|
-
|
1,239
|
|
-
foreign exchange reclassified to income statement on disposal or
dilution of a foreign operation
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,816
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,816
|
-
|
5,816
|
|
-
other reserves reclassified to income statement on disposal or
dilution of a foreign operation
|
-
|
-
|
85
|
262
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
347
|
-
|
347
|
|
-
insurance finance income/(expense) recognised in other
comprehensive income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(142)
|
-
|
(142)
|
-
|
(142)
|
|
- exchange differences
|
-
|
-
|
37
|
4
|
(4,953)
|
-
|
(41)
|
-
|
(4,953)
|
(30)
|
(4,983)
|
|
Total comprehensive income for the year
|
-
|
-
|
259
|
(46)
|
863
|
5
|
(183
)
|
24,997
|
25,895
|
1,044
|
26,939
|
|
Shares issued under employee remuneration and
share plans
|
77
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(77)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Share
premium reclassification to retained earnings
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Capital
redemption reserves reclassification to retained
earnings
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Capital securities issued
|
-
|
3,601
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,601
|
-
|
3,601
|
|
Dividends to shareholders
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(16,410)
|
(16,410)
|
(690)
|
(17,100)
|
|
Redemption
of securities
|
-
|
(2,250)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2,250)
|
-
|
(2,250)
|
|
Transfers8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2,945)
|
-
|
2,945
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Cost of
share-based payment arrangements
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
529
|
529
|
-
|
529
|
|
Share buy-back
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(11,043)
|
(11,043)
|
-
|
(11,043)
|
|
Cancellation of shares
|
(663)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
663
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Other movements
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
3
|
4
|
-
|
(687)
|
(678)
|
(335
)
|
(1,013)
|
|
At 31 Dec 2024
|
23,783
|
19,070
|
(3,246)
|
(1,079)
|
(32,887)
|
26,328
|
602
|
152,402
|
184,973
|
7,300
|
192,273
|
1
The insurance finance reserve reflects the impact of the adoption
of the other comprehensive income option for our insurance business
in France. Underlying assets supporting these contracts are
measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. Under
this option, only the amount that matches income or expenses
recognised in profit or loss on
underlying
items is included in finance income or expenses, resulting in the
elimination of income statement accounting mismatches. The
remaining amount of finance income or expenses for these insurance
contracts is recognised in other comprehensive income ('OCI'). At
31 December 2025, the entire balance was reclassified to
income statement
following
completion of the sale of the insurance business in France.
2
Includes recycling of fair value losses of $1.5bn following
completion of the sale of our retail banking operations in
France.
3
Includes the recycling of a $0.2bn foreign currency translation
reserves loss as a result of the dilution of our shareholding in
BoCom.
4 Includes insurance
finance income reclassification of $0.7bn and $0.7bn fair value
losses reclassification following completion of the sale of our
insurance business in France.
5
On 24 June 2025, the High Court of Justice in England and Wales
confirmed the cancellation of $14.8bn standing to the credit of the
HSBC Holdings' share premium account and $1.8bn standing to the
credit of its capital redemption reserve, following approval at
HSBC Holdings' Annual General Meeting held on 2 May 2025 (the
'Capital Reduction'). The
Court
Order confirming the Capital Reduction was registered by the
Registrar of Companies on 10 July 2025, resulting in a combined
total of $16.6bn being reclassified to retained earnings with no
impact on total equity.
6
HSBC Holdings issued $1.5bn 6.950% contingent convertible
securities in February 2025, SGD0.8bn 5.000% contingent convertible
securities in March 2025 and $2.0bn 7.050% contingent convertible
securities in June 2025. All instruments were recorded net of
issuance costs.
7
In March 2025, HSBC Holdings redeemed its $2.45bn 6.375% contingent
convertible securities.
8
At 31 December 2024, an impairment of $11.4bn of HSBC Overseas
Holdings (UK) Limited was recognised, resulting in a permitted
transfer of $2.9bn from the remaining historical associated merger
reserve to retained earnings.
9
HSBC Holdings announced the following share buy-backs during the
year: a share buy-back of up to $2.0bn in February 2025, which was
completed in April 2025; a share buy-back of up to $3.0bn in May
2025, which was completed in July 2025 and a share buy-back of up
to $3.0bn in July 2025, which was completed in October
2025.
10 Includes $1.1bn (2024: $0.5bn) of shares bought by HSBC Holdings
Employee Benefit Trust to satisfy obligation to deliver shares
under employee share plans.
|
Consolidated statement of cash flows
|
|
for the year ended 31 December 2025
|
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Profit before tax
|
29,907
|
32,309
|
|
Adjustments for non-cash items:
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
|
4,916
|
4,080
|
|
Net
loss from investing activities
|
2,614
|
180
|
|
Share
of profit in associates and joint ventures
|
(2,911
)
|
(2,912
)
|
|
Impairment
of interest in associate
|
1,000
|
-
|
|
(Gain)/loss
on acquisition/disposal of subsidiaries, businesses, associates and
joint ventures
|
93
|
1,704
|
|
Change
in expected credit losses gross of recoveries and other credit
impairment charges
|
4,170
|
3,674
|
|
Provisions
including pensions
|
2,103
|
299
|
|
Share-based
payment expense
|
621
|
529
|
|
Other
non-cash items included in profit before tax
|
(4,690
)
|
(5,290
)
|
|
Elimination of
exchange differences1
|
(34,682
)
|
26,734
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
Change
in net trading securities and derivatives
|
(38,630
)
|
(41,385
)
|
|
Change
in loans and advances to banks and customers
|
(74,071
)
|
7,275
|
|
Change
in reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading
|
(32,342
)
|
(4,227
)
|
|
Change in financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily
measured at fair value
|
(23,393
)
|
(20,662
)
|
|
Change
in other assets
|
(38,389
)
|
7,685
|
|
Change
in deposits by banks and customer accounts
|
168,907
|
44,237
|
|
Change
in repurchase agreements - non-trading
|
24,094
|
8,700
|
|
Change
in debt securities in issue
|
(5,613
)
|
11,942
|
|
Change
in financial liabilities designated at fair value
|
46,129
|
(2,248
)
|
|
Change
in other liabilities
|
4,098
|
(1,603
)
|
|
Dividends
received from associates
|
1,040
|
1,062
|
|
Contributions
paid to defined benefit plans
|
(147
)
|
(167
)
|
|
Tax
paid
|
(5,058
)
|
(6,611
)
|
|
Net cash from operating activities
|
29,766
|
65,305
|
|
Purchase of
financial investments
|
(502,391
)
|
(523,454
)
|
|
Proceeds from the
sale and maturity of financial investments2
|
470,309
|
453,502
|
|
Net
cash flows from the purchase and sale of property, plant and
equipment
|
(1,447
)
|
(1,344
)
|
|
Net
cash flows from disposal of loan portfolio and customer
accounts
|
-
|
-
|
|
Net
investment in intangible assets
|
(3,214
)
|
(2,542
)
|
|
Net
cash inflow on acquisition/disposal of subsidiaries, businesses,
associates and joint ventures3
|
1,126
|
9,891
|
|
Net
cash outflow on acquisition/disposal of subsidiaries, businesses,
associates and joint ventures4
|
(1,451
)
|
(12,617
)
|
|
Net cash from investing activities
|
(37,068
)
|
(76,564
)
|
|
Issue
of ordinary share capital and other equity instruments
|
4,096
|
3,602
|
|
Share
buy-back
|
(9,091
)
|
(11,348
)
|
|
Net
purchases of own shares for market-making and investment
purposes
|
(1,123
)
|
(541
)
|
|
Net cash flow from change in stake of subsidiaries
|
(154
)
|
-
|
|
Redemption of
preference shares and other equity instruments
|
(2,450
)
|
(3,433
)
|
|
Subordinated loan
capital issued
|
3,834
|
4,361
|
|
Subordinated loan
capital repaid5
|
(3,591
)
|
(2,000
)
|
|
Dividends
paid to shareholders of the parent company and non-controlling
interests
|
(13,482
)
|
(17,100
)
|
|
Net cash from financing activities
|
(21,961
)
|
(26,459
)
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
(29,263
)
|
(37,718
)
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 Jan
|
434,940
|
490,933
|
|
Exchange
differences in respect of cash and cash equivalents
|
27,210
|
(18,275
)
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at 31 Dec6
|
432,887
|
434,940
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents comprise:
|
|
|
|
- cash and balances at central banks
|
242,859
|
267,674
|
|
- loans
and advances to banks of one month or less9
|
74,404
|
69,803
|
|
- reverse repurchase agreements with banks of one month or
less
|
71,790
|
58,290
|
|
-
treasury bills, other bills and certificates of deposit less than
three months8
|
41,232
|
27,307
|
|
- cash
collateral, net settlement accounts and items in course of
collection from/transmission to other banks
|
2,214
|
9,827
|
|
- cash
and cash equivalents held for sale7
|
387
|
2,039
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 Dec6
|
432,887
|
434,940
|
Interest received was $99.6bn (2024: $110.1bn), interest paid was
$68.8bn (2024: $81.7bn) and dividends received (excluding dividends
received from associates, which are presented separately above)
were $2.7bn (2024: $2.8bn).
1
Adjustment to bring changes between opening and closing balance
sheet amounts to average rates. This is not done on a line-by-line
basis, as details cannot be determined without unreasonable
expense.
2
This includes $5.8bn from the sale of our retained portfolio of
home and certain other loans in France.
3
In 2025, this includes $1.0bn from the sale of our French life
insurance business, and in 2024 this includes $9.3bn from the sale
of our banking business in Canada.
4
In 2025, this includes $1bn from sale of our private banking
business in Germany and $0.4bn from sale of our retail banking
operations in Bahrain and in 2024, this includes $10.6bn from the
sale of our retail banking operations in France and $1.8bn from the
sale of our business in Argentina
5
Subordinated liabilities changes during the year are attributable
to repayments of $(3.6)bn (2024: $(2.0)bn) of securities.
Non-cash changes during the year included foreign exchange
gains/losses of $1.4bn gain (2024: $1.6bn gain) and fair value
gains/losses of $0.7bn gain (2024: $1.0bn gain).
6
At 31 December 2025, $66.6bn (2024: $50.4bn) was not available
for use by HSBC due to a range of restrictions, including currency
exchange. This includes $9.6bn (2024: Nil) segregated for Hang Seng
Bank privatisation funding purposes. Refer to Note 37 of the Annual
Report and Accounts 2025 for more details.
7
Includes $0.3bn (2024: $1.9bn) of cash and balances at central
banks and $0.04bn (2024: $0.1bn) of loans and advances to banks of
one month or less. There is nil balance in 2025 for reverse
repurchase agreements with banks of one month or less (2024: nil)
and cash collateral, net settlement accounts and items in course of
collection from/transmission to
other
banks (2024: nil).
8 The amount in this line is included in the
'Financial investments' and 'Financial assets designated and
otherwise mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or
loss' line items in the Consolidated balance sheet on
page 12.
9 The amount in this line is included in the
'Loans and advances to banks', 'Financial investments' and
'Financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily measured at
fair value through profit or loss' line items in the Consolidated
balance sheet on page 12.
1 Basis of preparation and material accounting
policies
The basis of preparation and summary of material accounting
policies applicable to the consolidated financial statements of
HSBC and the separate financial statements of HSBC Holdings can be
found in Note 1, or the relevant Note, in the Financial Statements
in the Annual Report and Accounts 2025.
(a)
Compliance with International Financial Reporting
Standards
The consolidated financial statements of HSBC and the separate
financial statements of HSBC Holdings comply with UK-adopted
international accounting standards and with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006, and have also applied international financial
reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No
1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union. These financial
statements are also prepared in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board ('IFRS Accounting Standards'), including
interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee, as
there are no applicable differences from IFRS Accounting Standards
for the periods presented. There were no unendorsed standards
effective for the year ended 31 December 2025 affecting
these consolidated and separate financial statements.
IFRS Accounting Standards adopted during the year ended 31 December
2025
There were no new standards, amendments to standards or
interpretations that had an effect on these financial statements.
Accounting policies have been applied consistently.
(b)
Differences between IFRS Accounting Standards and Hong Kong
Financial Reporting Standards
There are no significant differences between IFRS Accounting
Standards and Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards in terms of
their application to HSBC, and consequently there would be no
significant differences had the financial statements been prepared
in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards. The
'Notes on the financial statements', taken together with the
'Report of the Directors' in the Annual Report and Accounts 2025
include the aggregate of all disclosures necessary to satisfy IFRS
Accounting Standards and Hong Kong Financial Reporting
Standards.
(c) Going concern
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, as
the Directors are satisfied that the Group and parent company have
the resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future.
In making this assessment, the Directors have considered a wide
range of information relating to present and future conditions,
including future projections of profitability, cash flows, capital
requirements and capital resources.
These considerations include stressed scenarios that reflect the
uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment, including ongoing
supply chain disruptions, uncertain inflation, rapidly changing
interest rates, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and further
conflict or military action in the Middle East, Venezuela or
elsewhere; uncertainty around Hong Kong and mainland China's CRE
sectors; heightened strategic competition between the US and China,
ongoing and potential cross-border investment and trade
restrictions, changes to tariff rates, as well as the potential
impacts from other top and emerging risks, including climate
change, as well as the related impacts on profitability, capital
and liquidity.
2 Tax
|
Tax
expense
|
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Current
tax1
|
6,978
|
6,115
|
|
- for this year
|
6,606
|
5,863
|
|
-
adjustments in respect of prior periods3
|
324
|
31
|
|
-
Pillar 2 and qualifying domestic top-up taxes
|
48
|
221
|
|
Deferred tax
|
(202)
|
1,195
|
|
- origination and reversal of temporary differences
|
173
|
1,288
|
|
- effect of changes in tax rates
|
35
|
(2
)
|
|
-
adjustments in respect of prior periods3
|
(410)
|
(91
)
|
|
Year ended 31 Dec2
|
6,776
|
7,310
|
1
Current tax included Hong Kong profits tax of $2,351m (2024:
$1,615m). The Hong Kong tax rate applying to the profits of
subsidiaries assessable in Hong Kong was 16.5% (2024:
16.5%).
2 In addition to amounts recorded
in the income statement, a tax charge of $136m (2024:
credit of $12m) was recorded directly to
equity.
3
Adjustments in respect of prior periods includes deferred tax
credits in Hong Kong arising on temporary differences between IFRS
and the regulatory basis of accounting on which the tax returns are
prepared, and in the UK on tax losses, both of which arise from the
finalisation of 2024 tax returns and are offset by corresponding
charges in current tax.
Tax reconciliation
The tax charged to the income statement differs from the tax charge
that would apply if all profits had been taxed at the UK
corporation tax rate as follows:
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
$m
|
%
|
$m
|
%
|
|
Profit before tax
|
29,907
|
|
32,309
|
|
|
Tax expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taxation
at UK corporation tax rate of 25.0% (2024: 25.0%, 2023:
23.5%)
|
7,477
|
25.0
|
8,077
|
25.0
|
|
Impact of differently taxed overseas profits in overseas
locations
|
(1,316
)
|
(4.4
)
|
(1,351
)
|
(4.2
)
|
|
UK banking surcharge
|
179
|
0.6
|
215
|
0.7
|
|
Items increasing tax charge in 2025:
|
|
|
|
|
|
- local taxes and overseas withholding taxes
|
692
|
2.3
|
584
|
1.8
|
|
- movements in unrecognised deferred tax
|
314
|
1.0
|
259
|
0.7
|
|
- fines
and provisions for legal settlements
|
294
|
1.0
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
impairment of investment in BoCom
|
250
|
0.8
|
-
|
-
|
|
- other permanent disallowables
|
237
|
0.8
|
344
|
1.0
|
|
-
dilution loss on the Group's investment in BoCom
|
128
|
0.4
|
-
|
-
|
|
- movements in provisions for uncertain tax positions
|
118
|
0.4
|
38
|
0.1
|
|
-
impact of business disposals
|
100
|
0.3
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
non-deductible bank levy expense
|
75
|
0.3
|
73
|
0.2
|
|
-
impact of global and domestic minimum taxes
|
48
|
0.2
|
221
|
0.7
|
|
- impact of changes in tax rates
|
35
|
0.1
|
6
|
-
|
|
-
impact of hyperinflation
|
32
|
0.1
|
327
|
1.0
|
|
- tax
impact of sale of HSBC Argentina
|
-
|
-
|
1,536
|
4.8
|
|
Items reducing tax charge in 2025:
|
|
|
|
|
|
- non-taxable income and gains
|
(970
)
|
(3.2
)
|
(1,079
)
|
(3.3
)
|
|
- effect of profits in associates and joint ventures
|
(582
)
|
(1.9
)
|
(456
)
|
(1.4
)
|
|
- deductions for AT1 coupon payments
|
(249
)
|
(0.8
)
|
(249
)
|
(0.8
)
|
|
-
adjustments in respect of prior periods
|
(86
)
|
(0.3
)
|
(46
)
|
(0.1
)
|
|
-
non-taxable gain on disposal of HSBC Canada
|
-
|
-
|
(1,174
)
|
(3.6
)
|
|
-
impact of sale of French retail banking business
|
-
|
-
|
(15
)
|
-
|
|
Year ended 31 Dec
|
6,776
|
22.7
|
7,310
|
22.6
|
The Group's profits are taxed at different rates depending on the
country or territory in which the profits arise. The key applicable
tax rates for 2025 include Hong Kong (16.5%), the US (21.0%) and
the UK (25.0%). If the Group's profits were taxed at the statutory
rates of the countries in which the profits arose, then the tax
rate for the year would have been 21.2% (2024: 21.4%).
The effective tax rate for the year of 22.7% was higher than in the
previous year (2024: 22.6%). The effective tax rate for the year
was increased by 1.2% by the dilution loss and non-deductible
impairment of the Group's investment in BoCom, increased by 1.0% by
movements in unrecognised deferred tax, primarily relating to
French tax losses, and increased by 1.0% by the impact of fines and
provisions for legal settlements on which no tax benefit is
recorded. The effective tax rate for the year was reduced
by 0.3% by adjustments in respect of prior periods,
mainly arising from the finalisation of prior year tax returns in
India and Hong Kong. The effective tax rate for 2024 was reduced by
3.6% by the non-taxable gain arising on the disposal of HSBC
Canada, increased by 4.8% by the non-deductible loss arising on the
disposal of HSBC Argentina, increased by 0.7% by movements in
unrecognised deferred tax, primarily relating to French tax losses,
and increased by 0.7% by the Group's Pillar 2 global minimum tax
charge.
The UK adopted the 'Pillar Two' global minimum tax model rules of
the OECD's Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit-Shifting
('BEPS') with effect from 1 January 2024. Many jurisdictions
adopted similar rules, as well as domestic minimum tax regimes,
from 1 January 2025 and some jurisdictions, such as Bermuda,
introduced new or amended corporate income tax regimes effective
from that date. These changes have the effect of increasing local
overseas tax liabilities in 2025 and reducing the UK top-up tax
liability.
Accounting for taxes involves some estimation because tax law is
uncertain and its application requires a degree of judgement, which
authorities may dispute. Liabilities are recognised based on best
estimates of the probable outcome, taking into account external
advice where appropriate. Exposures to additional tax liabilities
arising from uncertain tax positions were reassessed during 2025,
resulting in a charge of $118m to the income statement. We do not
expect significant liabilities to arise in excess of the amounts
provided. HSBC only recognises current and deferred tax assets
where recovery is probable.
|
Movement
of deferred tax assets and liabilities
|
|
|
Loan
impairment
provisions
|
Unused tax
losses and
tax credits
|
Financial assets at FVOCI
|
|
Cash flow hedges
|
|
Retirement obligations
|
Other
|
Total
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
$m
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Assets
|
1,070
|
3,864
|
616
|
|
|
442
|
|
|
-
|
2,906
|
8,898
|
|
Liabilities
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(1,767)
|
(1,607)
|
(3,374)
|
|
At 1 Jan 2025
|
1,070
|
3,864
|
616
|
|
|
442
|
|
|
(1,767)
|
1,299
|
5,524
|
|
Income statement
|
11
|
(466)
|
226
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
(96)
|
517
|
202
|
|
Other comprehensive income
|
-
|
-
|
(564)
|
|
|
(587)
|
|
|
6
|
161
|
(984)
|
|
Foreign exchange and other adjustments
|
(25)
|
74
|
221
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
(100)
|
200
|
393
|
|
At 31 Dec 2025
|
1,056
|
3,472
|
499
|
|
|
(112)
|
|
|
(1,957)
|
2,177
|
5,135
|
|
Assets1
|
1,056
|
3,472
|
499
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
3,503
|
8,530
|
|
Liabilities1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
(112)
|
|
|
(1,957)
|
(1,326)
|
(3,395)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
1,158
|
4,544
|
876
|
|
|
419
|
|
|
|
2,933
|
9,930
|
|
Liabilities
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(1,814)
|
(1,600)
|
(3,414)
|
|
At 1
Jan 2024
|
1,158
|
4,544
|
876
|
|
|
419
|
|
|
(1,814)
|
1,333
|
6,516
|
|
Income statement
|
(74)
|
(640)
|
100
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(85)
|
(431)
|
(1,130)
|
|
Other comprehensive income
|
-
|
-
|
(49)
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
114
|
189
|
338
|
|
Foreign exchange and other adjustments
|
(14)
|
(40)
|
(311)
|
|
|
(61)
|
|
|
18
|
208
|
(200)
|
|
At 31
Dec 2024
|
1,070
|
3,864
|
616
|
|
|
442
|
|
|
(1,767)
|
1,299
|
5,524
|
|
Assets1
|
1,070
|
3,864
|
616
|
|
|
442
|
|
|
-
|
2,906
|
8,898
|
|
Liabilities1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(1,767)
|
(1,607)
|
(3,374)
|
1
After netting off balances within countries, the balances as
disclosed in the accounts are as follows: deferred tax assets of
$7,235m (2024: $6,841m) and deferred tax liabilities of $2,100m
(2024: $1,317m).
In applying judgement in recognising deferred tax assets,
management has assessed all relevant information, including future
business profit projections and the track record of meeting
forecasts. Management's assessment of the likely availability of
future taxable profits against which to recover deferred tax assets
is based on the most recent financial forecasts approved by
management, which cover a five-year period and are extrapolated
where necessary, and takes into consideration the reversal of
existing taxable temporary differences and past business
performance. When forecasts are extrapolated beyond five years, a
number of different scenarios are considered, reflecting different
downward risk adjustments, in order to assess the sensitivity of
our recognition and measurement conclusions in the context of such
longer-term forecasts.
The Group's net deferred tax asset of $5.1bn (2024: $5.5bn)
included $1.5bn (2024: $2.6bn) of deferred tax assets relating to
the UK, $2.8bn (2024: $3.0bn) of deferred tax assets relating to
the US and a net deferred asset of $0.8bn (2024: $0.5bn) in
France.
The UK deferred tax asset of $1.5bn excluded a $2.0bn deferred tax
liability arising on the UK pension scheme surplus, the reversal of
which is not taken into account when estimating future taxable
profit due to the level of uncertainty as to the timing and manner
of its reversal. The UK deferred tax assets are supported by
forecasts of taxable profit, also taking into consideration the
history of profitability in the relevant businesses. The majority
of the deferred tax asset relates to tax attributes which do not
expire and are forecast to be recovered within two years and as
such are less sensitive to changes in long-term profit
forecasts.
The net US deferred tax asset of $2.8bn included $1.0bn related to
US tax losses, of which $0.7bn expire in nine to 12 years.
Management expects the US deferred tax asset to be substantially
recovered within 13 years, with the majority recovered in the first
five years.
The net deferred tax asset in France of $0.8bn included $0.7bn
related to tax losses, which are expected to be substantially
recovered within
10
years. An additional $0.1bn of deferred tax asset relating to
French tax losses was recognised during the year, supported by the
business's
improved performance and outlook. Unused tax losses with a tax
value of $0.3bn have not been recognised due to the absence of
convincing evidence regarding the availability of sufficient future
taxable profits against which to recover them.
Unrecognised deferred tax
The amount of gross temporary differences, unused tax losses and
tax credits for which no deferred tax asset is recognised in the
balance sheet was $13.8bn (2024: $11.0bn). This amount included
unused US state tax losses of $3.8bn (2024: $3.8bn) which are
forecast to expire before they are recovered, unused French tax
losses of $1.4bn (2024: $0.7bn) for which there is insufficient
evidence of future taxable profits to support recognition, and
unused UK tax losses of $3.4bn (2024: $3.5bn), which arose prior to
1 April 2017 and can only be recovered against future taxable
profits of HSBC Holdings. No deferred tax was recognised on these
losses due to the absence of convincing evidence regarding the
availability of sufficient future taxable profits against which to
recover them. Deferred tax asset recognition is reassessed at each
balance sheet date based on the available evidence. Of the total
amounts on which deferred tax was not recognised, $7.6bn (2024:
$6.0bn) had no expiry date, $1.3bn (2024: $1.0bn) was scheduled to
expire within 10 years and the remaining balance is expected to
expire after 10 years.
Deferred tax is not recognised in respect of the Group's
investments in subsidiaries and branches where HSBC is able to
control the timing of remittance or other realisation and where
remittance or realisation is not probable in the foreseeable
future. The aggregate temporary differences relating to
unrecognised deferred tax liabilities arising on investments in
subsidiaries and branches was $15.9bn (2024: $15.2bn) and the
corresponding unrecognised deferred tax liability was $0.8bn (2024:
$0.7bn).
3 Dividends
|
Dividends
to shareholders of the parent company
|
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
Per
share
|
Total
|
|
Per
share
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
$m
|
|
$
|
$m
|
|
|
Dividends paid on ordinary shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In respect of previous year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
second interim dividend
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
fourth interim dividend
|
0.36
|
6,397
|
|
0.31
|
5,872
|
|
|
In respect of current year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- first interim dividend
|
0.10
|
1,750
|
|
|
0.10
|
1,877
|
|
|
|
-
special dividend
|
-
|
-
|
|
0.21
|
3,942
|
|
|
-
second interim dividend
|
0.10
|
1,717
|
|
|
0.10
|
1,852
|
|
|
|
- third
interim dividend
|
0.10
|
1,717
|
|
|
0.10
|
1,805
|
|
|
Total
|
0.66
|
11,581
|
|
|
0.82
|
15,348
|
|
|
|
Total coupons on capital securities classified as
equity
|
|
1,183
|
|
|
1,062
|
|
|
Dividends
to shareholders
|
|
12,764
|
|
|
16,410
|
|
On 5 January 2026, HSBC paid a coupon on its €1,250m
subordinated capital securities, representing a total distribution
of €30m ($35m). No liability was recorded on the balance
sheet at 31 December 2025 in respect of this coupon
payment.
Fourth interim dividend for 2025
On 25 February 2026, the Directors approved a fourth interim
dividend in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2025 of
$0.45 per ordinary share (the 'dividend'), an expected distribution
of approximately $7.71bn. The dividend will be payable on 30 April
2026 to holders of record on the Principal Register in the UK, the
Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register or the Bermuda Overseas Branch
Register on 13 March 2026. No liability was recorded in
the financial statements in respect of the fourth interim dividend
for 2025.
The dividend will be payable in US dollars, or in pounds sterling
or Hong Kong dollars at the forward exchange rates quoted by HSBC
Bank plc in London at or about 11.00am on 20 April 2026. The
ordinary shares in London, Hong Kong and Bermuda will be quoted
ex-dividend on 12 March 2026. American Depositary Shares ('ADSs')
in New York will be quoted ex-dividend on 13 March
2026.
The default currency on the Principal Register in the UK is pounds
sterling, and dividends can also be paid in Hong Kong dollars or US
dollars, or a combination of these currencies. International
shareholders can register to join the Global Dividend Service to
receive dividends in their local currencies. Please register and
read the terms and conditions at www.investorcentre.co.uk. UK
shareholders can also register their pounds sterling bank mandates
at www.investorcentre.co.uk.
The default currency on the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register is
Hong Kong dollars, and dividends can also be paid in US dollars or
pounds sterling, or a combination of these currencies. Shareholders
can arrange for direct credit of Hong Kong dollar cash dividends
into their bank account, or arrange to send US dollar or pounds
sterling cheques to the credit of their bank account. Shareholders
can register for these services at www.investorcentre.com/hk.
Shareholders can also download a dividend currency election form
from www.hsbc.com/dividends, www.investorcentre.com/hk, or
www.hkexnews.hk.
The default currency on the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register is US
dollars, and dividends can also be paid in Hong Kong dollars or
pounds sterling, or a combination of these currencies. Shareholders
can change their dividend currency election by contacting the
Bermuda investor relations team. Shareholders can download a
dividend currency election form from
www.hsbc.com/dividends.
Changes to currency elections must be received by 15 April 2026 to
be effective for this dividend.
The dividend will be payable on ADSs, each of which represents five
ordinary shares, on 30 April 2026 to holders of record on
13 March 2026. The dividend of $2.25 per ADS will be payable
by the depositary in US dollars. Alternatively, the cash dividend
may be invested in additional ADSs by participants in the dividend
reinvestment plan operated by the depositary. Elections must be
received by 10 April 2026.
Any person who has acquired ordinary shares registered on the
Principal Register in the UK, the Hong Kong Overseas Branch
Register or the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register but who has not
lodged the share transfer with the Principal Registrar in the UK,
Hong Kong Overseas Branch Registrar or Bermuda Overseas Branch
Registrar should do so before 4.00pm local time on 13 March 2026 in
order to receive the dividend.
Ordinary shares may not be removed from or transferred to the
Principal Register in the UK, the Hong Kong Overseas Branch
Register or the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register on 13 March 2026.
Any person wishing to remove ordinary shares to or from each
register must do so before 4.00pm local time on 12 March
2026.
Transfers of ADSs must be lodged with the depositary by 11.00am on
13 March 2026 in order to receive the dividend. ADS holders who
receive a cash dividend will be charged a fee, which will be
deducted by the depositary, of $0.005 per ADS per cash
dividend.
4 Earnings per share
Basic earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the
profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent company
by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding,
after deducting own shares held. Diluted earnings per ordinary
share is calculated by dividing the basic earnings, which require
no adjustment for the effects of dilutive potential ordinary
shares, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares
outstanding, excluding own shares held, plus the weighted average
number of ordinary shares that would be issued on conversion of
dilutive potential ordinary shares.
|
Basic
and diluted earnings per share
|
|
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
Profit
|
Number of shares
|
Per share
|
Profit
|
Number of shares
|
Per
share
|
|
|
$m
|
(millions)
|
$
|
$m
|
(millions)
|
$
|
|
Basic1
|
21,102
|
17,427
|
1.21
|
22,917
|
18,357
|
1.25
|
|
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares
|
|
120
|
|
128
|
|
|
Diluted1
|
21,102
|
17,547
|
1.20
|
22,917
|
18,485
|
1.24
|
1
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding (basic) or
assuming dilution (diluted) after deducting own shares
held.
The number of anti-dilutive employee share options excluded from
the weighted average number of dilutive potential ordinary shares
was 12 million (2024: Nil).
5 Constant currency balance sheet reconciliation
|
|
At
|
|
|
31 Dec 2025
|
31 Dec 2024
|
|
|
Reported and constant currency
|
Constant currency
|
Currency translation
|
Reported
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Loans and advances to customers (net)
|
988,399
|
970,778
|
40,120
|
930,658
|
|
Interests in associates and joint ventures
|
29,577
|
29,728
|
819
|
28,909
|
|
Total external assets
|
3,233,034
|
3,139,801
|
122,753
|
3,017,048
|
|
Customer accounts
|
1,786,828
|
1,719,240
|
64,285
|
1,654,955
|
6 Reported and constant currency results1
|
|
Year ended
|
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
|
|
Revenue2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reported
|
68,274
|
65,854
|
|
|
|
|
Currency translation
|
-
|
155
|
|
|
|
Constant currency
|
68,274
|
66,009
|
|
|
|
|
Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment
charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reported
|
(3,850)
|
(3,414)
|
|
|
|
|
Currency translation
|
-
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency
|
(3,850)
|
(3,392)
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reported
|
(36,428)
|
(33,043)
|
|
|
|
|
Currency translation
|
-
|
(103)
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency
|
(36,428)
|
(33,146)
|
|
|
|
|
Share of profit in associates and joint ventures less
impairment
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reported3
|
1,911
|
2,912
|
|
|
|
|
Currency translation
|
-
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency
|
1,911
|
2,913
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reported
|
29,907
|
32,309
|
|
|
|
|
Currency translation
|
-
|
75
|
|
|
|
|
Constant currency
|
29,907
|
32,384
|
|
|
|
1
In the current period constant currency results are equal to
reported as there is no currency translation.
2
Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and
other credit impairment charges, also referred to as
revenue.
3
Amounts in 2025 relate to an impairment loss of $1.0bn recognised
in respect of the Group's investment in BoCom. See Note 19 on page
320 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2025.
|
Notable
items
|
|
|
Year ended
|
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
Disposals,
wind-downs, acquisitions and related costs1,2
|
(1,642)
|
(1,343)
|
|
Dilution
loss of interest in BoCom associate3
|
(1,104)
|
-
|
|
Early
redemption of legacy securities
|
-
|
(237)
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
Disposals,
wind-downs, acquisitions and related costs
|
(502)
|
(199)
|
|
Restructuring
and other related costs4
|
(1,030)
|
(34)
|
|
Legal
provision5
|
(1,432)
|
-
|
|
Impairment losses of interest in BoCom associate3
|
(1,000)
|
-
|
|
Tax
|
|
|
|
Tax
credit on notable items
|
440
|
108
|
1 Includes recycling of cumulative
fair value losses of $1.5bn relating to the French retained
portfolio of home and certain other loans following the completion
of its sale to a consortium comprising Rothesay Life plc and
CCF.
2
Amounts in 2024 include a $1.0bn loss on disposal and a $5.2bn loss
on the recycling in foreign currency translation reserve losses and
other reserves arising on sale of our business in Argentina. This
was partly offset by a $4.8bn gain on disposal of our banking
business in Canada, inclusive of foreign exchange hedging of the
sales proceeds and the
recycling
of reserves losses.
3
Includes a loss of $1.1bn inclusive of reserves recycling as a
result of the dilution of our shareholding in BoCom. We have also
recognised a $1.0bn impairment loss following an impairment test on
the carrying value of the Group's investment in BoCom in
'Impairment losses of interest in BoCom associate'. See Note 18 on
pages 319 to 322 of the Annual
Report
and Accounts 2025.
4
Amounts in 2025 include restructuring provisions recognised in
2025. Amounts in 2024 relate to restructuring provisions recognised
in 2024 and reversals of restructuring provisions recognised during
2022.
5
Includes a $1.1bn provision in connection with a claim brought by
Herald Fund SPC in the Luxembourg District Court, relating to the
Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC fraud and a $0.3bn
provision in connection with certain historical trading activities
in HSBC Bank plc.
7 Contingent liabilities, contractual commitments and
guarantees
|
|
2025
|
|
|
2024
|
|
|
$m
|
|
|
$m
|
|
Guarantees and other contingent liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
- financial guarantees
|
17,476
|
|
|
|
16,998
|
|
- performance and other guarantees
|
102,684
|
|
|
|
92,723
|
|
- other contingent liabilities
|
164
|
|
|
|
298
|
|
At 31 Dec
|
120,324
|
|
|
|
|
110,019
|
|
Commitments1:
|
|
|
|
|
|
- documentary credits and short-term trade-related
transactions
|
6,959
|
|
|
|
7,096
|
|
- forward asset purchases and forward deposits placed
|
84,978
|
|
|
|
61,017
|
|
- standby facilities, credit lines and other commitments to
lend
|
856,700
|
|
|
|
793,465
|
|
At 31 Dec
|
948,637
|
|
|
|
861,578
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
Includes $690.8bn of commitments at 31 December 2025 (31 December
2024: $619.4bn), to which the impairment requirements in IFRS 9 are
applied.
The preceding table discloses the nominal principal amounts of
off-balance sheet liabilities and commitments for the Group, which
represent the maximum amounts at risk should the contracts be fully
drawn upon and the clients default. As a significant portion of
guarantees and commitments are expected to expire without being
drawn upon, the total of the nominal principal amounts is not
indicative of future liquidity requirements. The expected credit
loss provision relating to guarantees and commitments under IFRS 9
is disclosed in Note 28 of the Annual Report and Accounts
2025.
The majority of the guarantees have a term of less than one year.
All guarantees are subject to HSBC's annual credit review
process.
Contingent liabilities arising from legal proceedings, regulatory
and other matters against Group companies are excluded from this
note but are disclosed in Notes 28 and 35 of the Annual Report and
Accounts 2025.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme ('FSCS') provides
compensation, up to certain limits, to eligible customers of
financial services firms that are unable, or likely to be unable,
to pay claims against them. The FSCS may impose a further levy on
the Group to the extent the industry levies imposed to date are not
sufficient to cover the compensation due to customers in any future
possible collapse. The ultimate FSCS levy to the industry as a
result of a collapse cannot be estimated reliably. It is dependent
on various uncertain factors including the potential recovery of
assets by the FSCS, changes in the level of protected products
(including deposits and investments) and the population of FSCS
members at the time.
Associates
HSBC's share of associates' contingent liabilities, contractual
commitments and guarantees amounted to $70.9bn at 31 December 2025
(2024: $74.5bn). No matters arose where HSBC was severally
liable.
8 Legal proceedings and regulatory matters
HSBC is party to legal proceedings and regulatory matters in a
number of jurisdictions arising out of its normal business
operations. Apart from the matters described below, HSBC considers
that none of these matters are material. The recognition of
provisions is determined in accordance with the accounting policies
set out in Note 1 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2025. While the
outcomes of legal proceedings and regulatory matters are inherently
uncertain, management believes that, based on the information
available to it, appropriate provisions have been made in respect
of these matters as at 31 December 2025 (see Note 28 of the Annual
Report and Accounts 2025). Where an individual provision is
material, the fact that a provision has been made is stated and
quantified, except to the extent that doing so would be seriously
prejudicial. Any provision recognised does not constitute an
admission of wrongdoing or legal liability. It is not practicable
to provide an aggregate estimate of potential liability for
our legal proceedings and regulatory matters as a class of
contingent liabilities.
Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC
Various HSBC companies that provided custodial, administration and
similar services to a number of funds whose assets were invested
with Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC ('Madoff
Securities') have been named as defendants in lawsuits arising out
of Madoff Securities' fraud.
Trustee litigation: The
Madoff Securities trustee (the 'Trustee') has brought lawsuits in
the US against various HSBC companies and others seeking recovery
of alleged transfers from Madoff Securities to the HSBC companies
in the amount of $508m (plus interest). In September 2025, the US
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed
all claims against HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA in the amount
of $292m and certain claims against HSBC Bank USA N.A.
('HSBC Bank USA') in the amount of $32m. The Trustee has
appealed. The Trustee's remaining claims, which amount
to $184m, are pending.
The Trustee has filed a claim against various HSBC companies in the
High Court of England and Wales seeking recovery of alleged
transfers from Madoff Securities to the HSBC companies. The claim
has not yet been served and the amount claimed has not been
specified.
Fairfield Funds litigation: Fairfield
Sentry Limited, Fairfield Sigma Limited and Fairfield Lambda
Limited (each in liquidation and together, the 'Fairfield Funds')
have brought lawsuits in the US against various HSBC companies and
others seeking recovery of alleged transfers from the Fairfield
Funds to the HSBC companies (that acted as nominees for clients) in
the amount of $382m (plus interest). In August 2025, the US Court
of Appeals for the Second Circuit confirmed the dismissal of
Fairfield Funds' claims against all HSBC companies. Fairfield Funds
may appeal.
Herald Fund SPC ('Herald') litigation: HSBC
Securities Services Luxembourg ('HSSL') and HSBC Bank plc are
defending an action brought by Herald (in liquidation) before the
Luxembourg District Court seeking restitution of securities (the
amount of which would be determined by further proceedings, if
Herald is successful in its claim) and $521m in cash
(plus interest) or, alternatively, damages in the amount of $5.6bn
(plus interest). Herald's damages claim against HSSL and HSBC Bank
plc has been stayed. In December 2024, the Luxembourg Court of
Appeal determined that Herald's claims for restitution of
securities and cash against HSSL were founded in principle. HSSL
appealed this decision and, in October 2025, the Luxembourg Court
of Cassation denied HSSL's appeal in respect of Herald's securities
restitution claim, but accepted HSSL's appeal in respect of
Herald's cash restitution claim, which has been returned to the
Luxembourg District Court for determination. HSSL is pursuing a
second appeal on the securities restitution claim before the
Luxembourg Court of Appeal. Following the Court of Cassation's
decision, HSSL has recognised a $1.1bn provision in connection
with this matter. Given the pendency of the second appeal and the
complexities and uncertainties associated with determining the
quantum of restitution, the eventual financial impact could be
significantly different.
Alpha Prime Fund Limited ('Alpha Prime')
litigation: Various
HSBC companies are defending an action brought by Alpha Prime in
the Luxembourg District Court seeking restitution of securities
and $1bn (plus interest) in supplementary damages or,
alternatively, damages in the amount of $3.3bn (plus
interest). This matter is currently pending before the Luxembourg
District Court.
In November 2024, Alpha Prime served various HSBC companies with a
lawsuit filed in the Bermuda Supreme Court seeking damages for
unspecified amounts for alleged breach of contract and negligence.
This claim is currently stayed.
Senator Fund SPC ('Senator') litigation: HSSL
and the Luxembourg branch of HSBC Bank plc are defending an action
brought by Senator before the Luxembourg District Court seeking
restitution of securities or, alternatively, damages in the amount
of $1.4bn (plus interest). This matter is currently pending
before the Luxembourg District Court.
Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this
time for HSBC to predict the resolution of these matters, including
the timing or any possible impact on HSBC, which could be
significant.
US Anti-Terrorism Act litigation
Since November 2014, a number of lawsuits have been filed in
federal courts in the US against various HSBC companies and others
on behalf of plaintiffs who are, or are related to, alleged victims
of terrorist attacks in the Middle East. In each case, it is
alleged that the defendants aided and abetted the unlawful conduct
of various sanctioned parties in violation of the US Anti-Terrorism
Act, or provided banking services to customers alleged to have
connections to terrorism financing. Six actions, which seek damages
for unspecified amounts, remain pending. One of these actions has
been dismissed but may be appealed. The other five actions remain
at an early procedural stage.
Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this
time for HSBC to predict the resolution of these matters, including
the timing or any possible impact on HSBC, which could be
significant.
US dollar Libor litigation
Various HSBC companies are defending two individual actions which
allege that the HSBC defendants violated various US federal and
state laws, including antitrust laws, related to the setting of US
dollar Libor, and seek damages for unspecified amounts. In
September 2025, the US District Court for the Southern District of
New York granted the defendants' joint motion for summary judgment
and dismissed these actions. The plaintiffs have
appealed.
Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this
time for HSBC to predict the resolution of these matters, including
the timing or any possible impact on HSBC, which could be
significant.
Foreign exchange-related investigations and litigation
In December 2016, Brazil's Administrative Council of Economic
Defense initiated an investigation into the onshore foreign
exchange market and identified a number of banks, including HSBC,
as subjects of its investigation. This investigation is ongoing.
Lawsuits alleging foreign exchange-related misconduct remain
pending against HSBC and other banks in courts in
Brazil.
Since 2017, HSBC Bank plc, among other financial institutions, has
been defending a complaint filed by the Competition Commission of
South Africa before the South African Competition Tribunal for
alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the South African foreign
exchange market. In 2020, a revised complaint was filed which also
named HSBC Bank USA as a defendant. In January 2024, the South
African Competition Appeal Court dismissed HSBC Bank USA from the
revised complaint but denied HSBC Bank plc's application to
dismiss. Both the Competition Commission and HSBC Bank plc have
appealed to the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
HSBC Bank plc and HSBC Holdings have reached a settlement with
plaintiffs in Israel to resolve a class action filed in the local
courts alleging foreign exchange-related misconduct. The
settlement, the impact of which is not significant and is fully
provisioned, remains subject to court approval.
In February 2024, HSBC Bank plc and HSBC Holdings were joined to an
existing claim brought in the UK Competition Appeals Tribunal ('UK
CAT') against various other banks alleging historical
anti-competitive behaviour in the foreign exchange market and
seeking approximately £3bn in damages from all the defendants.
In December 2025, the UK Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling of
the UK CAT refusing certification as an opt-out claim. This matter
remains pending before the UK CAT.
Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this
time for HSBC to predict the resolution of these matters, including
the timing or any possible impact on HSBC, which could be
significant.
Precious metals fix-related litigation
US litigation: Various
HSBC companies and other members of The London Silver Market Fixing
Limited are defending a class action pending in the US District
Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that, from
January 2007 to December 2013, the defendants conspired to
manipulate the price of silver and silver derivatives for their
collective benefit in violation of US antitrust laws, the US
Commodity Exchange Act and New York state law. In May 2023, this
action, which seeks damages for unspecified amounts, was dismissed
but remains pending on appeal. Based on the facts currently known,
it is not practicable at this time for HSBC to predict the
resolution of this matter, including the timing or any possible
impact on HSBC, which could be significant.
Canada litigation: Various
HSBC companies and other financial institutions have been defending
putative class actions filed in the Ontario and Quebec Superior
Courts of Justice alleging that the defendants conspired to
manipulate the price of silver, gold and related derivatives in
violation of the Canadian Competition Act and common law. These
actions each seek CA$1bn in damages plus CA$250m in punitive
damages. The HSBC defendants have reached a settlement with the
plaintiffs to resolve these matters. The settlement, the impact of
which is not significant and is fully provisioned, is subject to
court approval.
Tax-related investigations
Since 2023, the French National Financial Prosecutor ('PNF') had
been investigating HSBC Continental Europe and the Paris branch of
HSBC Bank plc, in connection with alleged tax fraud related to the
dividend withholding tax treatment of certain trading activities.
In January 2026, HSBC Bank plc reached an agreement with the PNF to
resolve its investigation. HSBC Bank plc paid a total of
€302m and this matter is now closed. The investigation into
HSBC Continental Europe was closed with no further
action.
HSBC Bank plc and the German branch of HSBC Continental Europe
continue to cooperate with investigations by the German public
prosecutor into numerous financial institutions and their
employees, in connection with the dividend withholding tax
treatment of certain trading activities. Based on the facts
currently known, it is not practicable at this time for HSBC to
predict the resolution of this matter, including the timing or any
possible impact on HSBC, which could be significant.
Gilts trading litigation
In June 2023, HSBC Bank plc and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., among
other banks, were named as defendants in a putative class action
filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New
York by plaintiffs alleging anti-competitive conduct in the gilts
market and seeking damages for unspecified amounts. Certain of the
defendants, including HSBC Bank plc and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.,
have reached a settlement with the plaintiffs to resolve this
matter. The settlement, the impact of which is not significant and
has been paid, remains subject to final court
approval.
Korean short selling indictment
In March 2024, the Korean Prosecutors' Office issued a criminal
indictment against The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited ('HBAP') and three current and former employees for
breaching short selling rules under the Financial Investment
Services and Capital Markets Act in connection with trades carried
out between August 2021 and December 2021. In September 2025, the
Korean appellate court confirmed the acquittal of HBAP of all
charges. The Korean Prosecutors' Office has further appealed to the
Korean Supreme Court.
Investigations involving HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA
Law enforcement authorities in Switzerland and France are
conducting criminal investigations into HSBC Private Bank (Suisse)
SA in connection with alleged money laundering offences in respect
of two historical banking relationships. These investigations are
ongoing.
Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this
time for HSBC to predict the resolution of these matters, including
the timing or any possible impact on HSBC, which could be
significant.
First Citizens litigation
In May 2023, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company ('First
Citizens') brought a lawsuit in the US District Court for the
Northern District of California against various HSBC companies and
seven US-based HSBC employees who had previously worked for Silicon
Valley Bank ('SVB'). The lawsuit seeks $1bn in damages and alleges,
among other things, that the various HSBC companies conspired with
the individual defendants to solicit employees from First Citizens
and that the individual defendants took confidential information
belonging to SVB and/or First Citizens. In January 2026, First
Citizens amended its complaint to add claims purportedly assigned
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ('FDIC'). These
include claims concerning the period between SVB's entry into FDIC
receivership and First Citizens' purchase of SVB's US assets. First
Citizens also seeks to bring certain claims and defendants
dismissed by the court in July 2024 back into the litigation. The
defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the amended
complaint.
Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this
time for HSBC to predict the resolution of this matter, including
the timing or any possible impact on HSBC, which could be
significant.
US mortgage securitisation litigation
Beginning in 2014, a number of lawsuits were filed in various state
and federal courts in the US against HSBC Bank USA, as a trustee of
more than 280 mortgage securitisation trusts, seeking unspecified
damages for losses in collateral value allegedly sustained by the
trusts. Nearly all of these lawsuits have either been settled or
dismissed; one action remains pending in a New York state
court.
HSBC Bank USA and certain of its affiliates are named as defendants
in a mortgage loan repurchase action brought by the trustee of a
mortgage securitisation trust in New York state court and seeking
unspecified damages and specific performance. The plaintiff has
appealed the dismissal of this action, and the appeal is
pending.
Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this
time for HSBC to predict the resolution of these matters, including
the timing or any possible impact on HSBC, which could be
significant.
Mexican government bond litigation
HSBC Mexico S.A. and other banks are named as defendants in a
consolidated putative class action pending in the US District Court
for the Southern District of New York alleging anti-competitive
conduct related to Mexican government bond transactions between
2010 and 2014 and seeking unspecified damages. In January 2025, the
court denied the defendants' motion to dismiss the plaintiffs'
third amended complaint, and this action is
proceeding.
Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this
time for HSBC to predict the resolution of this matter, including
the timing or any possible impact on HSBC, which could be
significant.
Other regulatory investigations, reviews and
litigation
HSBC Holdings and/or certain of its affiliates are also subject to
a number of other enquiries and examinations, requests for
information, investigations and reviews by various tax authorities,
regulators, competition and law enforcement authorities, as well as
legal proceedings including litigation, arbitration and other
contentious proceedings, in connection with various matters arising
out of their businesses and operations.
At the present time, HSBC does not expect the ultimate resolution
of any of these matters to be material to the Group's financial
position; however, given the uncertainties involved in legal
proceedings and regulatory matters, there can be no assurance
regarding the eventual outcome of a particular matter or
matters.
9 Impairment of interest in associate
The results for the period ended 31 December 2025 included a $1.1bn
loss from the dilution of our shareholding and a $1.0bn impairment
to the carrying amount of the Group's interest in
BoCom.
The Group's interest in BoCom reduced from 19.03% to 16.00%
following the completion of a capital issuance by BoCom on 17 June
2025. The dilution of the Group's interest resulted in a pre-tax
loss of $1.1bn, recognised in 'Other operating income/(expense)' in
the Group's consolidated income statement. The loss is not
deductible for tax purposes as a consequence of our shareholding in
BoCom being held for long-term investment purposes.
In addition, the Group's impairment test on the carrying amount at
30 June 2025 resulted in an impairment of $1.0bn as the recoverable
amount as determined by a value-in-use calculation was lower than
the carrying amount. The impairment was recognised within
'Impairment of interest in associate'. Consistent with prior
periods, our value-in-use ('VIU') calculation uses both historical
experience and market participant views to estimate future cash
flows, relevant discount rates and associated capital assumptions.
No further impairment (or reversal) was required for the period
from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025 based on results of the
quarterly impairment tests performed.
The impacts of the capital issuance have been incorporated in both
the carrying amount and the VIU. The VIU assumptions incorporate
updated expectations, taking into account both the impact of the
capital issuance on BoCom's financial position, and the latest
macroeconomic, policy and industry factors in mainland
China.
We remain strategically committed to mainland China and continue
our valued, strategic partnership with BoCom.
‹–
For further details, see Note 18:
Interests in associates and joint ventures on page 319 of our
Annual Report and Accounts 2025.
10 Events after the balance sheet date
On 8 January 2026, the proposal to privatise Hang Seng Bank Limited
('Hang Seng Bank') through a scheme of arrangement was approved by
Hang Seng Bank shareholders. On approval, a financial liability was
recognised in the Group's consolidated financial statements for the
present value of the proposed HK$106bn ($13.7bn) purchase
consideration. A corresponding adjustment to equity, net of
derecognising the non-controlling interest, which stood at $7.0bn
as at 31 December 2025, was also recognised. On 26 January 2026,
the scheme of arrangement became effective and Hang Seng Bank was
subsequently delisted from The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
on 27 January 2026. To demonstrate funding availability for the
proposal, securities of HK$129.3bn ($16.6bn) were segregated and
reported as encumbered on the balance sheet as at 31 December 2025.
These assets were designated to demonstrate that sufficient
resources were available at all times to settle the acquisition
consideration and to provide a buffer against potential
mark-to-market movements. The transaction was settled on 4 February
2026. At that point, all payment obligations under the scheme of
arrangement were met, and the segregation of assets
ceased.
On 30 January 2026, HSBC Bank plc completed the sale of its UK life
insurance entity, HSBC Life (UK) Limited, to Chesnara plc. Prior to
completion, as at 31 December 2025, the balances that were
classified as held for sale were $6.6bn in assets and $6.4bn in
liabilities. For the year ended 31 December 2025, we recognised a
loss on disposal of $0.1bn. In the first quarter of 2026, we will
recycle foreign currency translation reserves to the income
statement. These stood at a cumulative $0.2bn loss as at 31
December 2025.
A fourth interim dividend for 2025 of $0.45 per ordinary share (a
distribution of approximately $7.71bn) was approved by the
Directors after 31 December 2025. On 11 February 2026, HSBC
Holdings called $1,000m 4.000% perpetual subordinated contingent
convertible securities, which are expected to be redeemed and
cancelled on 9 March 2026. The accounts were approved by the Board
of Directors on 25 February 2026 and authorised for
issue.
11 Capital structure
|
Capital
ratios
|
|
|
At 31 Dec
|
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
%
|
%
|
|
Transitional basis
|
|
|
|
Common
equity tier 1 ratio
|
14.9
|
14.9
|
|
Tier 1 ratio
|
17.3
|
17.2
|
|
Total capital ratio
|
20.5
|
20.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
End point basis
|
|
|
|
Common equity tier 1 ratio
|
14.9
|
14.9
|
|
Tier 1 ratio
|
17.3
|
17.2
|
|
Total capital ratio
|
20.5
|
20.1
|
|
Total
regulatory capital and risk-weighted assets
|
|
|
At 31 Dec
|
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Transitional basis
|
|
|
|
Common
equity tier 1 capital
|
132,593
|
124,911
|
|
Additional tier 1 capital
|
20,804
|
19,216
|
|
Tier 2 capital
|
28,974
|
28,259
|
|
Total regulatory capital
|
182,371
|
172,386
|
|
Risk-weighted assets
|
888,647
|
838,254
|
|
|
|
|
|
End point basis
|
|
|
|
Common equity tier 1 capital
|
132,593
|
124,911
|
|
Additional tier 1 capital
|
20,804
|
19,216
|
|
Tier 2 capital
|
28,974
|
24,401
|
|
Total regulatory capital
|
182,371
|
168,528
|
|
Risk-weighted assets
|
888,647
|
838,254
|
|
Leverage
ratio
|
|
|
|
|
At 31 Dec
|
|
|
2025
|
2024
|
|
|
$bn
|
$bn
|
|
Tier 1 capital
|
153.4
|
144.1
|
|
Total leverage ratio exposure
|
2,877.1
|
2,571.1
|
|
|
%
|
%
|
|
Leverage ratio
|
5.3
|
5.6
|
12 Statutory accounts
The information in this news release does not constitute statutory
accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies
Act 2006 ('the Act'). The statutory accounts for the year
ended 31 December 2025 will be delivered to the Registrar of
Companies in England and Wales in accordance with section 441
of the Act. The auditor has reported on those accounts. Its report
was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section
498(2) or (3) of the Act.
13 Dealings in HSBC Holdings plc listed securities
The Group has policies and procedures that, except where permitted
by statute and regulation, prohibit specified transactions in
respect of its securities listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
Limited. Except for dealings as intermediaries or as trustees by
subsidiaries of HSBC Holdings, and purchases by HSBC Holdings under
the share buy-backs, neither HSBC Holdings nor any of its
subsidiaries has purchased, sold or redeemed any of its securities
listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited during the
year ended 31 December 2025.
14 Interim dividends for 2026
We maintain our dividend policy of a target payout ratio of 50%
earnings per ordinary share ('EPS') for each of 2026, 2027 and
2028, subject to meeting capital requirements. EPS for this purpose
will continue to exclude material notable items and related
impacts.
For the financial year 2025, dividends were paid in accordance with
our dividend policy. We achieved a dividend payout ratio of 50% of
EPS, excluding material notable items and related impacts. Material
notable items in 2025 primarily related to the income statement
impacts associated with actions to exit or wind-down non-strategic
businesses. They also include a dilution loss and the recognition
of an impairment of our investment in BoCom, a legal provision
relating to the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC fraud,
as well as the impacts of transactions completed in previous
periods, including the sale of our retail banking operations in
France, the sale of our banking business in Canada and the disposal
of our business in Argentina.
The Board has adopted a dividend policy designed to provide
sustainable cash dividends, while retaining the flexibility to
invest and grow the business in the future, supplemented by
additional shareholder distributions, if appropriate.
Dividends are approved in US dollars and, at the election of the
shareholder, paid in cash in one of, or in a combination of, US
dollars, pounds sterling and Hong Kong dollars.
15 Distributable reserves
The distributable reserves of HSBC Holdings at 31 December 2025
were $46.2bn, a $17.9bn increase since 31 December 2024. This was
primarily driven by $22.1bn in profits and other reserves movements
generated in 2025, cancellation of $16.6bn standing to the credit
share premium and capital redemption reserves pursuant to the Court
approval obtained by HSBC Holdings on 24 June 2025, offset by
$20.8bn of dividends on ordinary shares, additional tier 1 coupon
and share buy-back payments.
16 Earnings releases and interim results
First and third quarter results for 2026 will be released on 5 May
2026 and 27 October 2026, respectively. The interim results for the
six months to 30 June 2026 will be issued on 4 August
2026.
17 Corporate governance codes
The Board considers that, during 2025, HSBC fully complied with
both the UK and Hong Kong Corporate Governance Codes, with the
exception of Provision 24 of the UK Corporate Governance Code in
relation to the Group Chairman being a member of the Group Audit
Committee.
Under the Hong Kong Corporate Governance Code, the audit committee
should be responsible for the oversight of all risk management and
internal control systems. The Group Audit Committee's
responsibilities cover oversight of the effectiveness of all
internal controls. The Group Risk Committee has responsibility for
oversight of internal controls relating to risk management and risk
management systems and provides input to the Group Audit Committee
on these.
HSBC Holdings plc has codified obligations for transactions in
Group securities in accordance with the requirements of the UK
Market Abuse Regulation and the rules governing the listing of
securities on HKEx. The Group has been granted certain waivers by
HKEx from strict compliance with the rules that take into account
accepted practices in the UK, particularly in respect of employee
share plans. During the year, all Directors were reminded of their
obligations in respect of transacting in HSBC Group securities.
Following specific enquiry all Directors have confirmed that they
have complied with their obligations.
The Group Audit Committee has reviewed and provided assurance to
support the HSBC Holdings Board's approval and publication of the
Annual Report and Accounts 2025.
The Directors of HSBC Holdings plc as at the date of this
announcement comprise:
Brendan Robert Nelson*, Georges Bahjat Elhedery, Geraldine Joyce
Buckingham†,
Wei Sun Christianson†,
Rachel Duan†,
Dame Carolyn Julie Fairbairn†,
James Anthony Forese†,
Ann Frances Godbehere†,
Steven Craig Guggenheimer†,
Manveen (Pam) Kaur, Dr José Antonio Meade
Kuribreña†,
Kalpana Jaisingh Morparia†,
Eileen K Murray† and
Swee Lian Teo†.
*
Independent non-executive Chairman
†
Independent non-executive Director
18 Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking
statements
This news release may contain projections, estimates, forecasts,
targets, commitments, ambitions, opinions, prospects, results,
returns and forward-looking statements with respect to the
financial condition, results of operations, capital position,
environmental, social and governance ('ESG')- related matters,
strategy and business of the Group which can be identified by the
use of forward-looking terminology such as 'may', 'will', 'should',
'expect', 'anticipate', 'project', 'estimate', 'seek', 'intend',
'target', 'plan', 'believe', 'potential' or 'reasonably possible',
or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable
terminology (together, 'forward-looking statements'), including the
strategic priorities and any financial, investment and capital
targets and any ESG ambitions, targets and commitments described
herein.
Any such forward-looking statements are not a reliable indicator of
future performance, as they may involve significant stated or
implied assumptions and subjective judgements which may or may not
prove to be correct. There can be no assurance that any of the
matters set out in forward-looking statements are attainable, will
actually occur or will be realised or are complete or accurate. The
assumptions and judgements may prove to be incorrect and involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other
important factors, many of which are outside the control of the
Group.
Actual achievements, results, performance or other future events or
conditions may differ materially from those stated, implied and/or
reflected in any forward-looking statements due to a variety of
risks, uncertainties and other factors (including, without
limitation, those which are referable to general market or economic
conditions, regulatory and government policy changes, continued
volatility in trade and tariff policies, increased volatility in
interest rates and inflation levels and other macroeconomic risks,
geopolitical tensions such as the Russia-Ukraine war, further
conflict in the Middle East or elsewhere, specific economic
developments, such as the uncertain performance of the commercial
real estate sector in mainland China and Hong Kong, or the efficacy
of the Group's actions in managing and mitigating ESG-related
risks, and in progressing towards the Group's ESG ambitions,
targets and commitments.
Any such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs,
expectations and opinions of the Group at the date the statements
are made, and the Group does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any
obligation or duty to update, revise or supplement them if
circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions
should change. For these reasons, recipients should not place
reliance on, and are cautioned about relying on, any
forward-looking statements. No representations or warranties,
expressed or implied, are given by or on behalf of the Group as to
the achievement or reasonableness of any projections, estimates,
forecasts, targets, commitments, ambitions, prospects or returns
contained herein.
Additional detailed information concerning important factors,
including but not limited to ESG-related factors, that could cause
actual results to differ materially from this news release is
available in our Annual Report and Accounts for the fiscal year
ended 31 December 2025, which we expect to file with the US
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F on or around 26
February 2026.
19 Use of alternative performance measures
This news release contains non-IFRS measures used by management
internally that constitute alternative performance measures under
European Securities and Markets Authority guidance and non-GAAP
financial measures defined in and presented in accordance with US
Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations
('alternative performance measures'). The primary alternative
performance measures we use are presented on a 'constant currency'
basis which is computed by adjusting reported results for the
effects of foreign currency translation differences, which distort
period-on-period comparisons. We consider constant currency
performance to provide useful information for investors by aligning
internal and external reporting, and reflecting how management
assesses period-on-period performance. We separately disclose
'notable items', which are components of our income statement that
management would consider as outside the normal course of business
and generally non-recurring in nature. Reconciliations between
alternative performance measures and the most directly comparable
measures under IFRS are provided in our Annual Report and Accounts
2025, which is available at www.hsbc.com.
20 Certain defined terms
Unless the context requires otherwise, 'HSBC Holdings' means HSBC
Holdings plc and 'HSBC', the 'Group', 'we', 'us' and 'our' refer to
HSBC Holdings together with its subsidiaries. Within this document
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's
Republic of China is referred to as 'Hong Kong'. When used in the
terms 'shareholders' equity' and 'total shareholders' equity',
'shareholders' means holders of HSBC Holdings ordinary shares and
those preference shares and capital securities issued by HSBC
Holdings classified as equity. The abbreviations '$m', '$bn' and
'$tn' represent millions, billions (thousands of millions) and
trillions of US dollars, respectively.
21 For further information contact:
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Media Relations
UK -
HSBC Group Press Office
Telephone:
+44 (0)20 7991 8096
Hong
Kong - Aman Ullah
Telephone:
+852 3941 1120
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Investor Relations
UK -
Alastair Ryan
Telephone:
+44 (0)7468 703 010
Hong
Kong - Yafei Tian
Telephone:
+852 2899 8909
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22 Registered Office and Group Head Office
8 Canada Square
London E14 5HQ
United Kingdom
Web: www.hsbc.com
Incorporated in England and Wales with limited liability.
Registration number 617987
Please click on the following link to view the associated data
pack:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3236U_1-2026-2-25.pdf
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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HSBC
Holdings plc
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By:
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Name:
Angela McEntee
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Title:
Group Company Secretary
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Date:
25 February 2026
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