

Group 1 - UBS downgraded Hang Seng Bank's rating from "Neutral" to "Sell" and lowered the target price from HKD 112 to HKD 102 [1] - The bank's net profit for the first half of the year fell by 34.6% year-on-year, with credit costs reaching a record high, resulting in performance below UBS and market expectations [1] - Management maintained a cautious outlook, indicating that expected credit losses (ECL) for the second half will be similar to the first half, suggesting that credit costs for the full year 2025 may exceed 100 basis points [1] Group 2 - Due to exposure to risks in Hong Kong's commercial real estate, UBS revised its earnings per share forecast for 2025-2026 down by 12% to 18% [1] - Despite a potential increase in the payout ratio to over 90%, the bank's dividend for 2025 is expected to be HKD 6.2, down from HKD 6.8 last year [1] - UBS noted that the HKD 3 billion share buyback plan is in line with expectations, and if loan demand remains weak next year, the buyback scale may be expanded [1]