ults Review
1H15 results in line with expectation
HSB reported 1H15 net profit of HK$20.0bn, up 201% HoH/137% YoY, or 11% HoH/12% YoY excluding one-off items suchas gains from the disposal of the stake held in the Industrial Bank(IB) in 1H14 and the impairment charges in 2H14. Growth ismainly driven by the increasing interest-earning assets andwell-performing wealth management business (+19.2% YoY)
Trends to watch
Conservative balance sheet growth with decreasingloans from trade finance and loans outside Hong Kong.
Total loans grew HK$15bn (2.2% HoH), attributable to the risingretail loans for mortgage and unsecured consumer lending.
Asset quality stable, with NPL ratio slightly up 11bp to0.43%. Credit costs went down 8bp HoH, as asset quality inHong Kong remains sound and HSB has a relatively smallpresence in Mainland China.
NIM decreased sequentially and could be under pressurebefore the US rate hike effect filters through.
Higher-than-expected RWA growth (+10.9% HoH)attributable to regulatory changes and FX exposure fromthe disposal of the stake held in IB.
Management indicated conservative capital deployment.Setting aside sufficient capital buffer ahead of regulatoryevolutions is still the first priority for HSB and there will be nospecial dividend from disposal proceeds.
Valuation and recommendation
Increase 2015/2016e EPS by 3.8/3.9% on higher fee incomeexpectation. Hike TP by 6.2% to HK$159.56 (2.0x 2015e P/B).Current price has largely priced in the positives; maintain HOLD.
Risks
A later-than-expected US interest rate hike.