Topic: How To Invest

Hi, Pat: Can I get your opinion on HSBC? Thanks

Article Excerpt

HSBC Holdings plc (ADR), $39.85, symbol HSBC on New York (ADRs outstanding: 3.9 billion; Market cap: $156.8 billion; www.hsbc.com), is one of the world’s largest banks, with 6,100 offices in just over 70 countries. The U.K.-based bank has 40% of its assets in Asia, followed by Europe (30%), North America (18%), Latin America (7%) and the Middle East (5%). HSBC’s commercial banking division accounts for about 33% of its operating earnings; the global banking and markets business supplies 35%; and retail banking and wealth management contribute 25%. Like many global banks, HSBC is selling non-core assets, including recent sales in Turkey and Brazil. In addition to cutting costs and streamlining its operations, these moves are helping the bank respond to tighter regulations and higher capital requirements. HSBC also plans to use cash from these sales to expand in what it sees as higher-growth markets in Asia, including…