Core Viewpoint - Standard Chartered Group reported a strong performance for the fiscal year 2025, with operating income of $20.9 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6%, and an 8% increase when excluding significant items [1] Financial Performance - The pre-tax profit was $7.9 billion, reflecting an 18% year-on-year increase [1] - The basic earnings per share were 229.7 cents, with a proposed final dividend of 49 cents per share [1] Strategic Initiatives - The CEO, Bill Winters, highlighted a return on tangible equity of 14.7%, achieved a year ahead of the original three-year plan [1] - The company plans to increase the annual dividend per share by 65% and announced a new $1.5 billion share buyback program [1] Market Outlook - The company anticipates that client activity will continue to be influenced by structural adjustments in the global economy [1] - Trends such as increased global alliances, the digitization of currencies, and a rise in market participation in wealth management are expected to persist [1] Future Guidance - For 2026, the company projects a lower range of 5-7% year-on-year growth in operating income on a reported basis, with net interest income expected to remain relatively flat [1][2] - The reported cost is expected to remain stable, including expenditures related to the final year of the "efficiency gain" program [2] - The statutory return on tangible equity is projected to exceed 12% [3]