London, Jan 19, 2026, 09:16 GMT — Regular session
- Standard Chartered shares fell about 0.7% in early London trade, easing from Friday’s 52-week high close.
- The bank disclosed another batch of share buybacks completed on Friday under its ongoing programme.
- Markets were risk-off after fresh U.S. tariff threats against European countries, including Britain.
Standard Chartered (STAN.L) shares were down about 0.7% at 1,865 pence by 09:16 GMT, after ending Friday at 1,878.5 pence — the top of their 52-week range. (Investing)
The drift lower came as European equities slid at the open after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs unless the United States was allowed to buy Greenland. “The rationale for higher tariffs is now even more political and less economic,” ING economists wrote. (Reuters)
Currency markets flashed the same caution. “The impact … has been more towards dollar weakness every time there is heightened policy uncertainty,” said Khoon Goh, head of Asia research at ANZ, while Rabobank chief currency strategist Jane Foley warned against assuming “the dollar’s safe-haven status is gone.” (Reuters)
Deutsche Bank’s George Saravelos pointed to a bigger market worry if the standoff drags on, calling it “a weaponisation of capital rather than trade flows” that would be most disruptive. (Reuters)
On the company side, Standard Chartered said it bought back 535,597 shares on Jan. 16 at a volume-weighted average price of 1,865.79 pence, with prices paid ranging from 1,848 to 1,877.5 pence. A filing said the bank had applied about $1.21 billion to buybacks under the programme it announced last July. (TradingView)
A share buyback is when a company repurchases its own stock, often to cut the share count and lift earnings per share. It can also add a steady bid to trading on weaker days.
The buyback disclosure landed just as the stock is trying to hold recent gains. Standard Chartered has been one of the stronger performers among London-listed banks, helped by expectations that capital returns stay firm.
But the tape is not all about company mechanics this morning. If tariff threats harden into policy — and Europe answers back — banks with big cross-border businesses can get marked down quickly on global growth fears.
For now, traders are watching the next set of headlines: any EU response on retaliation plans, and whether Davos delivers fresh signals on trade policy and geopolitics.
For Standard Chartered, the next hard catalyst is its Q4 and full-year results on Feb. 24, when investors will be looking for guidance, credit trends and the pace of future shareholder payouts. (Sc)
