First Trust Advisors LP Sells 117,539 Shares of HSBC Holdings plc $HSBC

First Trust Advisors LP cut its position in shares of HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) by 17.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 571,711 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 117,539 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP’s holdings in HSBC were worth $40,580,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in HSBC during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of HSBC during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in HSBC during the third quarter worth approximately $43,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in HSBC in the third quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in HSBC in the second quarter valued at approximately $67,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.48% of the company’s stock.

HSBC Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HSBC opened at $82.18 on Friday. HSBC Holdings plc has a twelve month low of $45.66 and a twelve month high of $94.79. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $85.94 and its 200-day moving average is $75.89. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $282.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.58, a PEG ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.50.

HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.60 by ($1.23). The business had revenue of $17.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.01 billion. HSBC had a net margin of 16.07% and a return on equity of 13.10%. Sell-side analysts forecast that HSBC Holdings plc will post 6.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

HSBC Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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 an increase 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 11.0%. HSBC’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.73%.

More HSBC News

Here are the key news stories impacting HSBC this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Massive options flow — Retail/hedge investors bought roughly 474,798 call options on March 12 (about a 19,423% jump vs normal). This large call volume signals short‑term bullish positioning or block hedging that can amplify intraday upside if buying continues.
• Positive Sentiment: Potential asset sale — Bloomberg/Reuters report that Allianz and Sun Life are weighing bids for HSBC Life Singapore after HSBC launched a strategic review, which could lead to a tidy disposal gain and simplify the group. Bloomberg/Reuters: Allianz, Sun Life weigh bids for HSBC Life Singapore
• Positive Sentiment: Strategy and shareholder returns supportive — Recent coverage highlights HSBC’s pivot to Asia, solid 2025 profitability, continued buybacks and a strong dividend profile — factors that underpin medium‑term investor confidence. MarketBeat: Despite Global Tensions, HSBC’s Asia Strategy Is Paying Off
• Neutral Sentiment: Reporting changes ahead of 1Q results — HSBC announced a revamp of business‑line reporting to present financials differently; useful for analysts but a neutral/technical item until figures are restated. TipRanks: HSBC revamps business-line reporting
• Neutral Sentiment: Executive share vestings / LTIP outcomes disclosed — Management reported vesting of deferred awards and incentive outcomes; standard disclosure that can dilute but also aligns pay with performance. TipRanks: HSBC Details Executive Share Award Vestings
• Negative Sentiment: Geopolitical risk — Reuters reports the Iran conflict is casting a shadow over HSBC’s Middle East ambitions; management commentary and regional tensions are raising execution risk. Reuters: Iran war casts shadow over HSBC and StanChart
• Negative Sentiment: Exposure flagged by J.P. Morgan — J.P. Morgan warns HSBC is among the most exposed European banks to Middle East conflict (est. ~4% of pre‑tax profit), which could pressure near‑term earnings and regional operations. Reuters: HSBC, StanChart most exposed to Mideast conflict
• Negative Sentiment: Operational disruption — Reports show HSBC closing Qatar branches and other banks evacuating Gulf offices amid threats, a tangible near‑term operational and reputational risk that can weigh on sentiment. MSN: Iran-US war: Citi, StanChart evacuate Dubai offices; HSBC shuts Qatar branches

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Erste Group Bank raised shares of HSBC from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of HSBC in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. They set an “equal weight” rating on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of HSBC from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, March 6th. Bank of America raised shares of HSBC from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of HSBC in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $63.00.

HSBC Company Profile

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.