Lloyds stock slips as HSBC mortgage rate cuts rekindle UK price-war talk

LONDON, Jan 5, 2026, 08:45 GMT — Regular session

Lloyds shares fell 1.1% to 98.2 pence by 0830 GMT after opening at 99.9 pence. Investing
Mortgage pricing moved back into focus after reports HSBC cut rates across residential and buy-to-let products from Jan. 5. Estate Agent Today
Next catalysts include Lloyds’ preliminary 2025 results on Jan. 29 and the Bank of England’s Feb. 5 rate decision. Lloyds Banking Group

Shares of Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) fell in early London trading on Monday, sliding 1.1% to 98.2 pence by 0830 GMT, after opening at 99.9 pence. Investing

The move matters because Lloyds is Britain’s biggest mortgage lender and its earnings are sensitive to shifts in mortgage pricing. Tighter spreads can pinch net interest margin — the gap between what a bank earns on loans and pays on deposits. Reuters

Brokers said HSBC’s move to cut mortgage rates from Jan. 5 risks pulling rivals into a more aggressive battle for new business, particularly in home loans. “HSBC set the tone for 2026 early,” Ben Perks, managing director at Orchard Financial Advisers, was quoted as saying. Estate Agent Today

UK banking shares were mixed. Barclays rose 0.8% while NatWest was down 0.1%, and HSBC added 0.5%, data showed. Investing

Rate expectations remain a key swing factor for lenders at the start of the year. The Bank of England’s Bank Rate stands at 3.75%, and the central bank has said the rate is “likely to fall gradually further” as inflation eases; its next decision is due on Feb. 5. Bank of England

Investors also have a nearer company trigger. Lloyds is scheduled to publish preliminary results for 2025 on Jan. 29, according to its investor calendar, and traders will be watching for commentary on margins, mortgage growth and credit quality. Lloyds Banking Group

But a renewed mortgage price war is not the only overhang. Lloyds has also faced scrutiny over motor finance, and previously took a charge and cut its profit guidance as probes widened — a reminder that legacy conduct costs can still surprise.

On the tape, the stock is back below the psychologically important 100p level after trading within a 52-week range of 52.44p to 100.00p, with Monday’s session so far spanning roughly 98.2p to 99.9p. Investing

The next clear test for sentiment comes with Lloyds’ Jan. 29 results, with the Bank of England’s Feb. 5 policy decision close behind. Lloyds Banking Group

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