London, Feb 1, 2026, 07:53 GMT — Market closed.
HSBC shares climbed 1.2% on Friday, closing at 1,285.4 pence. The stock traded in a range from 1,271.4 to 1,285.6 and finished just shy of its 52-week peak. With the London market closed Sunday, all eyes will be on Monday to see what moves the stock next. (Investing)
Bank shares joined a wider rally that pushed the FTSE 100 to its seventh consecutive monthly rise on Friday. Sterling fell versus the dollar after Donald Trump named Kevin Warsh as his choice to head the U.S. Federal Reserve. “The weaker pound is obviously beneficial for the multinationals,” noted Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index. (Reuters)
Investors are focused on HSBC’s final push to take Hang Seng Bank private. Minority shareholders had their shares cancelled at HK$155 each, with payments set by Feb. 4. This follows the scheme’s effectiveness late last month and the subsequent delisting. (HSBC)
A separate filing on Friday showed the bank’s issued share capital at 17,175,239,862 ordinary shares as of Jan. 29. The number of voting rights matched that figure exactly, with no shares held in treasury. Investors use these numbers to monitor when stake changes hit disclosure thresholds. (HSBC)
In Hong Kong, HSBC is making a push to regain its footing in the IPO market — the process where companies first sell shares to the public — after largely missing out on last year’s surge in listings, the Financial Times reported. The bank fell behind competitors like Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, and China International Capital Corporation, and is now hiring aggressively to expand its IPO business. (Financial Times)
The expansion arrives amid increasing scrutiny from regulators on listing sponsors. The Securities and Futures Commission flagged “serious deficiencies” in a number of IPO applications, prompting it to ask 13 sponsors to review their procedures and halt vetting on 16 submissions. CEO Julia Leung emphasized the vital nature of sponsors’ “gatekeeping role … is critical.” (Reuters)
Yet the rally faces risks from shifts in rates and currencies. Bank shares often move with interest rate forecasts since these affect net interest margins — the difference between loan earnings and deposit costs — while both the pound and bond yields have been volatile recently.
Thursday brings the next major macro event: the Bank of England’s February Monetary Policy Report and its policy decision. Any unexpected moves in the rate outlook could swiftly shake the UK bank sector. (Bank of England)
HSBC’s key date is Feb. 25, when it will release its 2025 annual results. Investors will be watching closely for updates on dividends, costs, and capital, as well as clues on what happens after the buyback halt. These factors could determine if the stock stays near its current highs. (HSBC)
