by winston » Mon Sep 26, 2022 1:36 pm
UBS: Soft Pound Headwinds to HSBC, Offsets Stable NII
After Kwasi Kwarteng, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, had unveiled the massive tax cut and bailout plan last Friday (23rd), the market worried that the British government would issue bonds heavily.
GBP/ USD last slid about 2.7% to 1.0564, once setting an all-time low.
HSBC HOLDINGS (00005.HK) and STANCHART (02888.HK) last dived 6.3% and almost 7.1% in HK morning session.
UBS opined that the UK would hail higher inflation and more stimulus, which give rise to higher rates and lower impairments.
Assuming a 3% UK rate, UBS viewed the UK banks are attractively valued FCF yield plays.
STANCHART was UBS top pick among international banks in the UK.
Related News- G Sachs Expects US Fed to Lift Rates by 75 bps/ 50 bps in Nov/ Dec, 25 bps in Jan 2023
However in the broker's view, the headwinds in face of the UK economic outlook should be not underestimated.
More financial intervention cannot fully insulate consumption from energy costs, particularly for business and corporate books.
Higher rates also meant escalated debt service costs as fixed-rate mortgages reset, and food inflation added to cumulative pressure.
The soft pound was unfavorable to HSBC, as well as Barclays, UBS said. HSBC's NII remained stable, but it was offset by the impact of a weaker pound.
Yet, the rating on HSBC UK-listed shares was maintained at Buy with GBP6.8 TP.
Source: AAStocks Financial News
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