HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) Upgraded to “Strong-Buy” at Zacks Research

Zacks Research upgraded shares of HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on HSBC. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised HSBC from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on HSBC in a research note on Thursday, March 26th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings raised HSBC from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Monday, March 16th. Bank of America raised HSBC from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of HSBC in a research report on Friday, January 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, HSBC presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $63.00.

HSBC Price Performance

HSBC stock traded up $5.43 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $90.58. 1,480,500 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,286,106. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $85.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $77.84. The stock has a market cap of $311.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.97, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 0.55. HSBC has a fifty-two week low of $45.66 and a fifty-two week high of $94.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.87.

HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Saturday, February 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $17.70 billion during the quarter. HSBC had a return on equity of 13.10% and a net margin of 16.07%. Research analysts predict that HSBC will post 6.66 earnings per share for the current year.

HSBC Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of $2.25 per share. This is a boost from HSBC’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $9.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.9%. HSBC’s payout ratio is 148.43%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On HSBC

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its stake in HSBC by 30.7% during the 4th quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 498 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares in the last quarter. Lester Murray Antman dba SimplyRich lifted its holdings in HSBC by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Lester Murray Antman dba SimplyRich now owns 12,445 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $979,000 after buying an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. Ellevest Inc. lifted its holdings in HSBC by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 18,219 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,433,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec lifted its holdings in HSBC by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec now owns 2,658 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $209,000 after buying an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Checchi Capital Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in HSBC by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 26,554 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,089,000 after buying an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.48% of the company’s stock.

HSBC News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting HSBC this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded HSBC from “Hold” to “Strong Buy”, which can boost investor demand and short-term flows. Zacks Upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: Erste Group raised its FY2027 EPS forecast for HSBC to $9.05 (from $8.95), signaling improved analyst expectations above the current consensus — supportive for valuation multiples.
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks also included HSBC on its list of top income stocks (Rank #1/Strong Buy), which may attract income-focused investors given HSBC’s yield profile. Zacks Income List
• Positive Sentiment: HSBC Continental Europe is named as a stabilisation manager on a Hochtief bond transaction — a reminder of ongoing investment‑banking fee opportunities in Europe. Stabilisation Notice
• Positive Sentiment: Canara HSBC Life Insurance activity — a new market‑linked savings plan launch and a ₹250 crore NCD issuance (Trilegal advised) — highlights growth and distribution in the insurance JV that can support fee and insurance earnings. Product Launch NCD Issuance
• Positive Sentiment: HSBC’s Qormi hub in Malta earned LEED Gold certification — a modest ESG positive that can help the bank’s sustainability credentials with investors focused on green/ESG factors. LEED Gold
• Neutral Sentiment: HSBC strategists (Max Kettner) flagged a market “buy signal” — positive for the bank’s market-facing reputation but not a direct earnings driver. Market Commentary
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that HSBC is reviving plans to exit Australian retail operations create execution and revenue uncertainty — potential downside if investors view the move as revenue contraction or trigger restructuring charges. Australia Exit Report
• Negative Sentiment: Operational issue: HSBC blamed “security controls” for a PayPal payment problem — a reputational/operational flag that could worry service-dependent clients if it recurs. PayPal Problem
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage themes: Evercore ISI lowered a USB target while HSBC flagged bank-stock repricing — a reminder of macro/sector risk that can pressure bank multiples if rates or credit sentiment shift. Sector Repricing

About HSBC

HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE: HSBC) is a multinational banking and financial services organization headquartered in London. It traces its origins to the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, founded in 1865 to facilitate trade between Europe and Asia, and has since grown into one of the world’s largest banking groups. The company is publicly listed in multiple markets, including the London Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and as an American depositary receipt on the New York Stock Exchange.

HSBC operates a universal banking model, serving retail, commercial, corporate and institutional clients.