HSBC has earned a profit before tax of $12.7 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion, or 11 percent from that in the first half of 2011.

The board of HSBC has declared a second interim dividend of $0.09 per ordinary share for the year 2012.

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders was $8.2 billion, a decrease of $777 million or 9 percent compared to that in the first half of last year, said a press release.

The net interest income of the HSBC was $19.4 billion, $859 million, or 4 percent lower than that in the first half of 2011. Its net operating income before loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions of $36.9 billion was $1.2 billion, or 3 percent higher than the first half of last year.

The total operating expenses of $21.2 billion also increased by $694 million, or 3 percent compared to that in the first half of last year. On an underlying basis, and expressed in terms of constant currency, operating expenses increased by 10 percent. HSBC’s cost efficiency ratio remained at 57.5 percent. Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions were $4.8 billion in the first half of 2012, $ 467 million lower than the first half of last year.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 31th July 2012