Core Viewpoint - HSBC Holdings reported a decline in revenue and net profit for the first half of 2025, primarily due to the absence of gains from the sale of its Canadian and Argentine businesses in the previous year, alongside significant impairment losses related to its associate, Traffic Bank [1][2]. Financial Performance - The group achieved revenue of $34.1 billion, a decrease of 9% year-on-year, and a net profit of $12.4 billion, down 30% from the previous year [1]. - Excluding notable items, revenue increased by $1.9 billion to $35.4 billion, reflecting growth in wealth management, foreign exchange, and debt and equity markets [1]. - Net interest income decreased by $100 million, impacted by a $400 million adverse currency translation effect, but increased on a constant currency basis due to structural hedging benefits and lower funding costs [2]. Business Segments - The international wealth management and premier wealth management segments showed strong performance, with a 22% increase in revenue on a constant currency basis, contributing to a net new investment asset inflow of $44 billion, of which $27 billion came from Asia [2]. - Corporate and institutional banking fees and other income increased by 18% on a constant currency basis, with over 40% of the growth coming from wholesale trading [3]. Shareholder Returns - The strong performance allowed the company to declare a second interim dividend of $0.10 per share and initiate a share buyback of up to $3 billion, returning a total of $9.5 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks in the first half of 2025 [3].

Core Viewpoint - HSBC Holdings reported a decline in revenue and profit for the first half of 2025, primarily due to the absence of gains from previous business sales and significant impairment losses related to its associate, Bank of Communications [1][2]. Financial Performance - The group achieved revenue of $34.1 billion, a decrease of 9% year-on-year, and a net profit of $12.4 billion, down 30% from the previous year [1]. - The pre-tax profit fell by $5.7 billion to $15.8 billion, largely due to a $2.1 billion impairment loss related to Bank of Communications [1]. - Excluding notable items, revenue increased by $1.9 billion to $35.4 billion, reflecting growth in wealth management, foreign exchange, and debt and equity market activities [1]. Interest Income and Costs - Net interest income decreased by $100 million, impacted by a $400 million adverse currency translation effect; however, it increased when adjusted for fixed exchange rates due to structural hedging benefits and lower funding costs [2]. - The bank's net interest income fell by 4% year-on-year, primarily due to reduced funding costs from lower market interest rates [2]. Business Segments and Growth - The bank's wealth management business saw a 22% increase in revenue on a fixed exchange rate basis, with net new investment assets totaling $44 billion, of which $27 billion came from Asia [2][3]. - Corporate and institutional banking revenues increased by 18% on a fixed exchange rate basis, with over 40% of this growth attributed to wholesale banking activities [3]. Shareholder Returns - The strong performance allowed the bank to declare a second interim dividend of $0.10 per share and initiate a share buyback of up to $3 billion, returning a total of $9.5 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks in the first half of 2025 [3].