Europe’s largest bank posted a pre-tax profit of US$19.5 billion for the first six months of this year, versus US$15.8 billion a year earlier.
That compared with the US$18.9 billion average of analysts’ estimates compiled by HSBC.
Net profit jumped 27 percent to US$14.6 billion.
HSBC announced a resumption of its share buybacks with an up to US$1 billion plan, the first since it took smaller Hong Kong lender Hang Seng Bank private.
The bank also announced a second interim dividend of 10 US cents per share, following a similar payout in May.
“HSBC is becoming the stronger bank we set out to build. We are executing our strategic priorities with pace, precision and discipline,” chief executive Georges Elhedery said in a statement. (Reuters/AFP)
