London, Jan 23, 2026, 08:52 GMT — Regular session.
- HSBC shares slipped roughly 0.4% in early London trading, holding close to a 52-week peak
- The Hong Kong High Court has approved the Hang Seng privatisation plan; next week will see the final steps to complete it
- Traders are watching PMI data closely, alongside HSBC’s annual results on Feb. 25, for clues on strategy and capital moves
Shares of HSBC Holdings Plc slipped 0.4% to 1,239.4 pence by 0852 GMT, dipping early despite progress toward fully privatizing Hang Seng Bank. The stock fluctuated between 1,236.9 and 1,242.0 pence during the morning session, with a 12-month high of 1,254.0 pence. 1
This court move clears the final big legal obstacle for a deal that’s been looming over the stock since its announcement. It also speeds up the timeline to days instead of weeks, sharpening attention on the buyout’s impact on capital and how fast HSBC can pivot away from it.
A “scheme of arrangement” is a takeover process overseen by the court, becoming binding only after shareholder approval and court confirmation, unlike a straightforward tender offer. On paper, it looks straightforward, but investors keep an eye on timing risks and possible last-minute procedural hiccups.
HSBC announced that Hong Kong’s High Court approved the scheme “without modification” during Friday’s hearing and confirmed a capital reduction linked to the deal. The bank expects the scheme to take effect on Monday, Jan. 26, pending court document registration. Hang Seng’s listing withdrawal is scheduled for 4 p.m. Hong Kong time on Tuesday, Jan. 27, assuming the scheme is binding. 2
HSBC is set to acquire the remaining 36.5% stake in Hang Seng Bank, a deal valued at roughly $13.6 billion. Hang Seng shareholders gave the green light to the buyout earlier this month, according to Reuters. 3
Following the vote, CEO Georges Elhedery commented, “We are pleased with the approval of the proposal and grateful to Hang Seng Bank shareholders for their continued support.” 4
Friday’s drop in HSBC came amid a tentative session in Europe. Regional shares slipped as traders digested trade tensions sparked by Greenland, while investors eyed purchasing managers’ index data from Europe and the U.S. for hints on growth momentum. 5
Yet, the upcoming sessions bring event risk. A hold-up in registering the court order—or unexpected issues with outstanding conditions—would delay the effective date, keeping the story priced in. On top of that, fresh tariff news could still rattle banks with sizable cross-border operations.
In the short term, the clearest trigger is procedural: confirmation on Monday that the scheme is effective, then the planned Hong Kong delisting on Tuesday. After those steps, attention will shift to what HSBC says about capital and priorities, rather than the formalities.
Focus now shifts to HSBC’s annual results on Feb. 25. Investors will be keen to hear how full ownership of Hang Seng slots into the group’s strategy and what impact it could have on returns. 6
