HSBC Profits Soar; Bank Plans to Buy Back Up to US$1B in Shares

HSBC's second-quarter profit jumped sharply. The bank plans to buy back up to US$1 billion of its own shares — buying back shares reduces the number in circulation, which can lift their value. Per its 4 August 2026 results, this is the first such payout tied to 2026's half-year performance. The buyback is a plan, not yet done. HSBC returned US$18.9 billion to shareholders for 2025.