HSBC Holdings Plc: A UK-Listed Bank Really Worth Buying!

Here is why I believe that HSBC Holdings Plc (LON: HSBA) is the only London bank worth buying or holding at the moment

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

After falling close to a five-year low at the beginning of the year’s second half, HSBC (LSE: HSBA) shares have begun to look abnormally cheap when stood next to their peer group.

Even after last week’s Q3 results, which have already prompted a small bounce in the share price, the group’s low valuation and progress toward its restructuring targets have left the shares looking tempting.

Weathering the storm

One of the most positive things to come from the Q3 update was management’s declaration that there had been “no deterioration in Asian credit quality” as a result of the worldwide volatility in financial markets following the quarter’s collapse of the Chinese equity market and news of deepening slowdown in the nation’s economy.

While the threat from rising loan delinquencies has long been an important factor in the underperformance of HSBC’s shares during recent times, there has actually been no such deterioration recorded in the loan book for 2015.

On the contrary, loan impairments have fallen across most geographies where the group operates but most notably in the US, which has resulted in a 20% reduction in total impairments for the year to date.

Furthermore, despite some businesses having been hit by low commodity prices and the slowdown in China, the group has benefited from increased activity in Asian financial markets during recent periods, which has been the result of the Shanghai/Hong-Kong stock connect coming online late last year and generally outweighing the impact of the third quarter’s turbulence.   

Restructuring & dividends

Last week’s results also highlighted a reduction in risk weighted assets of $32 billion during the quarter and $82 billion year to date, which is 29% of the total $291 billion that the group intends to dispose of before the end of 2017.

Although the long-term plan is to redeploy any cash realised from asset sales to higher margin areas, management have already said earlier this year that they do not expect to find suitable opportunities for all of these funds, which is positive by implication for dividends and other cash returns to shareholders.

Attractively Valued

In addition to the better-than-expected financial performance of the bank during the quarter, the shares currently trade at a very slight premium to tangible book value, at parity with their total book value per share and on a forward price-to-earnings based valuation of 10.2x the consensus estimate for 2015 earnings.

This values the shares at broadly the similar level to that which we last saw during the 1997/8 Asian financial crisis, and at a modest discount to the 11.18x average of its London peer group.

Foolish Final Thought

In an environment where growth all too often comes with ever-increasing levels of risk and ever more onerous regulatory capital requirements, some analysts are now beginning to favour those banking organisations who have opted to focus on ROE’s and ROCE’s over pure asset and earnings growth.

The rationale for this is simple in that banks can improve their attractiveness to investors by slashing costs, hiving off riskier assets and exiting more capital-intensive businesses.

The boost to ROE and cash returns to shareholders that results from this can often outweigh the value of ‘growth’, particularly after adjusting for the disparity in risk between the two strategies.

HSBC was among the first to adopt a more returns-focused approach to its business, and after this year’s emerging market induced sell-off in the shares, it is probably the London banking stock that offers the most attractive risk/reward pay-off in my view.

In fact, for those investors who either lack exposure to the sector or who are just looking for their next investment, I would go so far as to say that it is probably the only one that is actually worth buying at current prices.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

James Skinner has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended HSBC Holdings. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Investing Articles

How’s the dividend forecast looking for Legal & General shares in 2025 and beyond?

As a shareholder, I like to keep track of the potential dividend returns I could make from my Legal &…

Read more »

artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

Could buying this stock with a $7bn market cap be like investing in Nvidia in 2010?

Where might the next Nvidia-type stock be lurking in today's market? Our writer takes a look at one candidate with…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is GSK a bargain now the share price is near 1,333p?

Biopharma company GSK looks like a decent stock to consider for the long term, so is today's lower share price…

Read more »

Snowing on Jubilee Gardens in London at dusk
Investing Articles

Could December be a great month to buy UK shares?

Christopher Ruane sees some possible reasons to look for shares to buy in December -- but he'll be using the…

Read more »

Young mixed-race couple sat on the beach looking out over the sea
Investing Articles

Sticking to FTSE shares, I’d still aim for a £1,000 monthly passive income like this!

By investing in blue-chip FTSE shares with proven business models, our writer hopes he can build sizeable passive income streams…

Read more »

Growth Shares

BT shares? I think there are much better UK stocks for the long term

Over the long term, many UK stocks have performed much better than BT. Here’s a look at two companies that…

Read more »

British Pennies on a Pound Note
Investing Articles

After a 540% rise, could this penny share keep going?

This penny share has seen mixed fortunes in recent years. Our writer looks ahead to some potentially exciting developments in…

Read more »

Silhouette of a bull standing on top of a landscape with the sun setting behind it
Investing Articles

Is the S&P 500 going to 10,000 by 2030? This expert thinks so

One stock market strategist sees animal spirits taking hold and driving the S&P 500 index even higher by the end…

Read more »