Financial Performance - HSBC reported a pre-tax profit of 21.6billionforthefirsthalfof2024,consistentwiththesameperiodin2023,despiteanetprofitdecreaseof400 million, or 2%, to 17.7billion[4].−Totalrevenueincreasedto37.3 billion, a rise of 400millionor121,556 million, slightly down from 21,657millioninthepreviousyear,indicatingadecreaseof0.517,665 million, compared to 18,071millionin2023,reflectingadeclineof2.237,292 million, an increase from 36,876millionforthesameperiodin2023,representingagrowthof1.117,665 million, down 2.2% from 18,071millioninthesameperiodlastyear[35].−Theaveragereturnontangibleequitydecreasedto21.416.3 billion, an increase of 800millionor516.3 billion, an increase of about 5% compared to 2023, primarily due to rising technology costs and inflationary pressures[15]. - The cost growth guidance for 2024 is approximately 5% compared to 2023, with expected credit loss provisions projected to be between 30 to 40 basis points of average loans[8]. Credit Quality and Provisions - Expected credit loss provisions were 1.1billion,down300 million from the first half of 2023, indicating improved credit quality in various markets[5]. - Expected credit losses were 300million,adecreaseof600 million, reflecting reduced provisions in the mainland China commercial real estate sector[6]. - The expected credit loss and other credit impairment charges decreased to 1,066millionfrom1,345 million, showing a reduction of 20.7%[12]. - The company expects the average expected credit loss as a percentage of total loans to return to a mid-term range of 30 to 40 basis points in 2024[15]. Capital and Dividends - The common equity tier 1 capital ratio improved to 15%, up 20 basis points from Q4 2023, due to a reduction in risk-weighted assets[5]. - The board approved a second interim dividend of 0.10pershareandplanstoinitiateasharebuybackofupto3 billion, expected to be completed within three months[5]. - The company aims to maintain a common equity tier 1 capital ratio of 14% to 14.5% and a dividend payout ratio target of 50% for 2024, excluding significant items[8]. - The total dividends distributed to shareholders for the current year is 12,217million,comparedto7,133 million in the previous year[54]. Customer and Market Activity - Customer loans stood at 938billion,stableonareportedbasis,witha12 billion increase on a constant currency basis since December 31, 2023[5]. - Customer accounts increased by 24billiononareportedbasisand27 billion on a constant currency basis compared to Q1 2024, with growth seen across all businesses, particularly in Asia[7]. - The number of new banking customers in Hong Kong reached 345,000, reflecting strong capital inflows[17]. - The international customer base in the UK increased by 8% to 2.7 million, indicating the unique position of the group's UK operations[17]. Legal Matters - HSBC is involved in multiple lawsuits in the UK and Luxembourg, with claims totaling up to 5.6billionplusinterestrelatedtocashandsecuritiesrecovery[68].−Since2014,HSBChasfacedlawsuitsintheUSfederalcourtsrelatedtoallegedviolationsoftheAnti−TerrorismAct,withseveralcasesstillpending[69].−HSBCwasfinedbytheEuropeanCommissionforanti−competitivebehaviorregardingEurointerestratederivatives,withthefineamountstillunderappeal[70].−HSBChasreachedasettlementwithplaintiffsinIsraelregardingallegedmisconductrelatedtoforeignexchange,pendingcourtapproval[71].StrategicInitiatives−HSBC′sstrategyincludesongoingmarketexpansionandinvestmentinnewtechnologiestoenhancecustomerserviceandoperationalefficiency[30].−Thecompanyaimstomaintainitsleadershippositioninkeymarkets,particularlyinHongKongandtheUK,withafocusonfurthergrowthopportunities[17].−Thebankannouncedasharebuybackprogramworthupto3 billion, expected to commence shortly and complete within three months[86]. Future Outlook - HSBC aims for an average return on tangible equity of approximately 15% by 2025[4]. - The bank targets an average tangible equity return of approximately 15% for 2024 and 2025, excluding significant items[8]. - HSBC anticipates releasing its earnings report for the three months ending September 30, 2024, on October 29, 2024[91].