London, Jan 26, 2026, 09:36 GMT — Regular session
- Standard Chartered shares edged slightly higher at first but then held steady, mirroring the cautious mood seen in European markets.
- Traders are adjusting their positions ahead of this week’s U.S. Federal Reserve announcement
- With earnings season ramping up, investors are closely eyeing new profit forecasts from major British banks
Standard Chartered shares slipped 0.5 pence, roughly 0.03%, to 1,828.5 pence in early London trading Monday. 1
The stock kicked off at 1,853 pence but dipped as trading ramped up during the opening hour, with slightly more than 2 million shares traded. 2
The subdued shift is significant as bank shares have been riding the interest-rate wave, and that theme resurfaced this week. European stocks held steady Monday following last week’s tariff-driven nerves, with investors cautious ahead of the Fed’s upcoming policy announcement. 3
A separate issue hits nearer to home: just how much UK lenders can stretch their optimism. Reuters sources say HSBC and NatWest are among British banks poised to raise profit targets in the weeks ahead. KPMG’s Peter Rothwell noted that “earnings resilience” has outlasted expectations, boosted by higher interest rates and stricter cost management. 4
Standard Chartered’s full-year results on Feb. 24 are drawing focus as investors await potential updates on guidance for income, costs, and capital returns. 5
The shares continue to hover close to their 52-week high of 1,878.5 pence, having surged sharply from a low of 872.8 pence over the last year. 6
Standard Chartered, based in London, operates across corporate and investment banking, wealth management, retail banking, and ventures. Its shares tend to react sharply to changes in global risk appetite and interest rate forecasts. 7
That said, the trade isn’t without risks. Higher targets across the sector could unravel if growth stalls, credit expenses climb, or renewed political trade tensions choke deal flow and cross-border deals.
Sentiment faces its next immediate challenge at the Fed meeting scheduled for Jan. 27-28, with the policy decision set for Jan. 28. 8
Traders at Standard Chartered will then shift focus to Feb. 24, the date when the bank releases its report and lays out key targets for 2026.
