London, Feb 6, 2026, 09:36 GMT — Regular session
- Standard Chartered shares edged higher in early London trading, with investors gearing up for the Feb. 24 earnings report and dividend announcement.
- Before the full-year results, JPMorgan raised its price target for the shares.
- Traders are focused on whether the bank can follow its strong stock rally with solid 2025 results and clear signals on capital returns.
Shares of Standard Chartered (STAN.L) edged up 0.5% to roughly 1,857 pence by 0936 GMT on Friday, after an early spike pushed the price to 1,876.5 pence. The stock had closed at 1,847 pence on Thursday and is now up about 72% in the past year, according to data from Hargreaves Lansdown.
The bank signaled its next major date for investors. In a regulatory filing linked to its Hong Kong listing, Standard Chartered revealed that a board committee will convene on Feb. 24 to approve the results for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, and to decide on a final dividend. The announcement noted it would be “considering the payment of a final dividend, if any.” Investegate
Feb. 24 is the next key date for a stock that’s already surged into 2026. Standard Chartered plans to release its full-year results at 04:00 UK time, followed by a virtual presentation with CEO Bill Winters and CFO Diego De Giorgi at 08:00 UK time.
Broker sentiment gave shares a boost. JPMorgan’s Kian Abouhossein lifted his price target to 2,170 pence from 1,880, maintaining an “Overweight” rating that suggests he sees the stock outpacing its rivals. TipRanks
On Wednesday, a regulatory update clarified the share count. Standard Chartered reported having 2,253,842,687 shares in issue as of Jan. 31, matching the number of voting rights and with no shares held in treasury. Investors rely on these figures to monitor disclosure thresholds and assess the impact of buybacks.
Banking stocks showed a mixed picture. European shares in the sector fell 3.5% Thursday as investors processed uneven earnings reports. The European Central Bank held rates steady at 2%. BBVA shares slumped 8.8% post-results, but BNP Paribas edged up 1.2%.
Standard Chartered stands somewhat apart from other UK banks, focusing on corporate and investment banking, wealth management, retail, and a smaller ventures division. Its operations are heavily linked to cross-border trade and investment flows.
Investors will zero in on guidance around income growth, costs, and shareholder returns when the company reports on Feb. 24. Loan-loss provisions — cash reserved for potential bad loans — could also move the needle, particularly if management highlights any areas of concern.
Dividend decisions aren’t guaranteed. A weak earnings report or a cautious forecast could send shares tumbling fast. If risk appetite sours sharply, or credit losses start to rise, it would challenge the notion that the bank can keep handing out cash while also funding growth.
Next up on the calendar: Standard Chartered’s 2025 results drop at 04:00 UK time on Feb. 24. Management will face investors just a few hours after that.
