London, Feb 1, 2026, 08:58 GMT — The market has closed.
- Shares of Standard Chartered ended Friday 1.3% higher at 1,862 pence, approaching a recent high.
- The bank arranged €641.1 million in financing for Uganda’s government infrastructure projects.
- Upcoming events to watch are the Bank of England’s rate decision on Feb. 5 and Standard Chartered’s earnings report on Feb. 24.
Standard Chartered shares closed Friday up 1.3% at 1,862 pence (£18.62), outpacing the FTSE 100, which rose 0.5%. The stock settled just below its January peak, with roughly 4 million shares changing hands.
London markets are closed for the weekend, setting the stage for a week packed with interest-rate cues. The Bank of England’s next policy decision comes Thursday, Feb. 5—an event traders watch closely as a key moment for UK stocks sensitive to rate moves.
Standard Chartered isn’t just tied to UK retail trends—it moves with global rates and shifts in risk appetite. When investors turn cautious, banks with big cross-border operations often face quick repricing.
Standard Chartered announced on Friday it secured €641.1 million in financing for three Ugandan government projects. The funds will back a power transmission line, road improvements, and water and sanitation infrastructure. Matia Kasaija commented, “These projects will go a long way in supporting Uganda’s development trajectory.” Sujithav Sarangi added the bank was “thrilled to be at the forefront of this transformational financing in Uganda.” Standard Chartered Bank
Standard Chartered kept its deal momentum going, serving as joint lead manager with local banks on Singapore Airlines’ S$500 million notes maturing in 2036. These notes are scheduled to start trading on the Singapore Exchange this Monday.
Investors have a key date to watch later this month. Standard Chartered will announce its Q4 2025 results on Tuesday, Feb. 24. On that day, CEO Bill Winters and CFO Diego De Giorgi will hold a virtual presentation.
Traders will focus on any changes in income momentum, costs, and credit losses during the earnings report, as well as management’s outlook on 2026 demand in its core Asia and Africa markets. Given the stock is near recent highs, even minor surprises could trigger sharper moves.
But the downside risks are clear. A hawkish shift from central banks or a fresh blow to emerging-market sentiment could slam bank valuations fast. And if fee income weakens or impairments climb, investors will zero in on the risk side of the balance sheet again.
London trading kicks off Monday, following a stronger finish for Standard Chartered. The calendar quickly fills up: the Bank of England’s decision on Feb. 5 headlines the macro events, while Standard Chartered’s own test comes with its results due Feb. 24.
