Is this top banking stock my ticket to a chunky passive income?

Our writer wants to build a passive income for the future. He wonders whether this UK bank stock could help him achieve that goal.

| 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.

Image source: Getty Images

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.

I’ve been spending time looking at ways to establish a passive income. I’m into the idea of using top stocks to set myself up for financial independence in the future.

There’s one top UK stock that has a 7% dividend yield right now. I did my research to see if it’s a candidate for my passive income project.

Top bank stock with a 7% dividend yield

HSBC (LSE: HSBA) is one I’ve got my eye on. It ticks a lot of the boxes for me. It’s the largest Europe-based bank by total assets with £3trn as of March 2023.

Competitive positioning is a big deal in the banking sector. After all, pricing and relationships are vital for attracting and retaining customers.

The HSBC share price is up 5% this year to 664.3p, giving the bank a £123bn market capitalisation. Given that I’m looking for a long-term dividend stock for passive income, I’m leaning more towards scale and stability.

Despite reasonable capital gains in recent years, HSBC shares are still yielding over 7%. That’s pretty handy when we consider the FTSE 100 average is 3.6% right now.

Of course, relying on a single metric like dividend yield can be misleading. Another key ratio to consider when investing in bank shares is the price-to-book (P/B) ratio. This measures the market value of the company against the value of its net assets on the balance sheet.

HSBC trades at 0.84, while NatWest and Lloyds trade at 0.77 and 0.79, respectively. That makes HSBC slightly more expensive than its UK banking peers on a relative value basis. Long-term investors like me need to decide if that premium is justified.

Why I like it

One of the things I like is the bank’s global reach and market positioning versus its UK-listed peers. It’s a financial powerhouse with a strong presence across global markets, including Asia.

I see Asia as a potentially lucrative market. This is largely due to its forecast population growth and an expanding middle class ready to fuel economic growth. A trusted brand with a robust network like HSBC’s could really benefit from Asia’s expected rise by 2050.

The bank also has a strong track record of paying out earnings. In fact, last year it nearly doubled its payout from 31 cents in 2022 to 61 cents per share. That’s good news for investors like me seeking to build a passive income.

What are the risks?

I see a few risks around it as a dividend stock. For one thing, a falling cash rate could mean banks race to lower rates to keep customer deposits. This could boost competition and reduce the spread between what HSBC can borrow from depositors and lend to customers, called the net interest margin. I see this as a key potential risk for the bank’s free cash flow in the medium term.

Additionally, the bank’s global presence could be a double-edged sword. After all, the Chinese economy has been less stable of late. More volatility driven by its Asian operations could threaten earnings and my passive income potential.

It means HSBC is one that I’m not quite ready to buy. However, if I see its relative value fall in line with its peers, I’ll be ready to snap up some shares.

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.

HSBC Holdings is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Ken Hall has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended HSBC Holdings and Lloyds Banking Group Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Dividend Shares

Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

How I’d invest my £20K ISA allowance to target £1,380 of passive income annually

Christopher Ruane explains the approach he'd take to try to generate income of almost £1,400 next year -- and annually…

Read more »

Hand of a mature man opening a safety deposit box.
Investing Articles

2 super-safe dividend stocks that have been paying passive income for decades

Income from stocks is never nailed on. But there are a handful of UK dividend stocks that have been incredibly…

Read more »

The flag of the United States of America flying in front of the Capitol building
Investing Articles

Diageo: time for me to sell this FTSE 100 stock before 5 November?

As the US election draws ever closer, our writer is wondering what to do with this struggling FTSE 100 stock…

Read more »

artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

Down 12% in a month and yielding 10.7%! Is this November’s best passive income stock?

Harvey Jones has been building his stake in this ultra-high-yielding FTSE 100 passive income stock. And with its shares dipping…

Read more »

Investing Articles

3 shares I’d consider for a Lifetime ISA

Our writer picks a trio of shares he believes investors should consider for a Lifetime ISA, with a mixture of…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£8,000 in savings? Here’s how I’d aim for £2,300 a month in passive income

With simply a few thousand in savings and £200 a month to invest, Muhammad Cheema looks at a strategy to…

Read more »

Investing Articles

A UK share with a growing dividend and a yield over 10%

Roland Head looks at a UK share with a double-digit dividend yield and gives his view on whether this jumbo…

Read more »

Middle-aged black male working at home desk
Investing Articles

Fancy a £1,640 second income in 2025? These FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 shares could deliver it

With yields well above the FTSE average, these dividend stocks are tipped to deliver a blistering second income next year.

Read more »