- China Earns $500 Million an Hour From Exports Supercharged by AI
May 12, 2026
(Bloomberg) -- The US and Chinese economies may still be on their way to decoupling but both are drawing strength from the same source.
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Just as an AI-driven boom in business investment bolstered US economic growth at the start of this year, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Nomura Holdings Inc. estimate China’s overseas sales of semiconductors, computers and other products closely related to artificial intelligence accounted for about half of China’s export growth in April.
In total, Chinese shipments abroad climbed 14% from a year ago to a monthly record of $359 billion, meaning companies were reeling in roughly $500 million on average every hour.
Chip exports surged 100% and sales of automatic data processing equipment and parts, which include laptops, tablets and their components, jumped 47%, the latest customs data showed. AI is also transforming the flow of goods into China, with its purchases of foreign high-tech products soaring 42%.
President Donald Trump, who will arrive in Beijing this week for his long-awaited summit with Xi Jinping, has encouraged the investment bonanza that’s now juicing China’s exports and lifting other major Asian economies from South Korea to Taiwan. This year alone, giant US tech firms including Alphabet Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. plan to pour as much as $725 billion into capital expenditures, primarily on AI data center equipment.
An economic divorce between the US and China is still in full swing, with tech curbs, sanctions and other hurdles in place. While Trump’s tariffs have come down from as high as 145% last year, the US share of China’s total exports has reached a historic low of near 9%, about half its peak in 2017–2018.
But the explosion of trade around AI reveals the extent of integration that still pulls the world’s two biggest economies closer through the global tech supply chain.
With the US leading all countries in AI investment, China has emerged as the world’s largest supplier of AI-related goods last year, according to research by economists at Standard Chartered Plc, though it’s still a net importer of some critical technologies such as advanced chips.
During Trump’s current term in office, China’s exports of integrated circuits have roughly doubled in value, topping $31 billion in April for the first time ever. Though skewed by a low base effect, total shipments to the US jumped the most in over a year after double-digit declines through most of 2025.
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Similarly, semiconductor sales from major producers South Korea and Taiwan have also soared in recent months.
US export controls have long been a sticking point in trade discussions between Washington and Beijing. Limits on China’s ability to acquire American technology fueled a standoff last year that saw Beijing impose curbs on shipments of rare earths to US customers.
The two sides unveiled a truce in October after Trump’s last meeting with Xi where the US agreed to pause for a year some of its tech-related restrictions in exchange for renewed access to rare earth elements. Those measures will likely be up for discussion later this week.
While China doesn’t have the know-how to produce the most cutting-edge components because of export bans imposed by the US, it’s been gaining increasing dominance in so-called legacy chips, which tend to use older technology and remain essential to a wide array of electronics.
And as trade across Asia tilts more toward high-tech, it’s providing relief to economies including China as manufacturers struggle to cope with rising raw material costs linked to the war in Iran.
Besides heaping pressure on traditional labor-intensive industries ranging from toymakers to apparel manufacturers, the conflict is also causing broader disruptions. Though the value of China’s imports of crude oil increased 13% from a year ago, their volume plunged 20%, reflecting a surge in prices.
“While AI-linked exporters enjoy the surging prices of chips, the whole of China is shouldering the burden of rising oil and gas prices,” Nomura economists led by Ting Lu said in a report.
Shipments to the Middle East and North Africa likely continued to decline after plummeting 43% in March from a year ago. The extent of any further declines will become clearer when China releases its detailed export data later this month.
The oil crisis has also offered an opportunity to Chinese automakers and especially manufacturers of electric vehicles. That’s turned cars into another major source of strength for exports, especially as auto sales plunge at home.
China’s vehicle exports soared 54% in the first four months of 2026, after gaining 21% last year. The value of vehicles shipped overseas hit the second-highest in history in April at over $16 billion.
The AI boom is meanwhile pushing both Chinese exports and imports to record highs, with foreign purchases in April soaring 25% from year ago to $275 billion. Imports from South Korea grew more than 60% and those from Taiwan increased over 20%.
Even before the surprise surge in trade last month, economists already upgraded their forecasts for full-year import growth in China, expecting it to overtake the pace of exports for the first time since 2021.
Chip prices swollen by a global shortage of semiconductors were a significant contributor to the blowout numbers in April. While chips contributed 4.9 percentage points to China’s headline export growth, the price effect alone accounted for 4.5 percentage points, according to Nomura.
“China’s export outlook remains positive in the near term, but the long-term outlook will depend on China’s ability to overcome the technology bottleneck,” especially its development of high-precision chips, according to Australia & New Zealand Banking Group economists including Raymond Yeung.
“A swift increase in chip self-sufficiency could lead to relaxed US chip export controls,” they said in a report. “This suggests that scope for commercial engagement remains and indicates a possible move from total disengagement toward selective containment.”
--With assistance from Vlad Savov.
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- JPMorgan Hikes Kospi Bull Case Target to 10,000 on Memory Boom
May 11, 2026
(Bloomberg) -- JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its target for South Korean stocks for the second time in less than a month, citing improvement in the semiconductor cycle, corporate governance reforms and industrial-sector growth.
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The Wall Street bank lifted its base-case for the Kospi to 9,000 and its bull‑case target to 10,000, implying a 27.8% upside from Monday’s close. That compares with base and bull targets of 7,000 and 8,500 set in late April.
Strategists are racing to upgrade their outlook on Korean equities, buoyed by earnings growth fueled by the global AI boom. The Kospi surged 4.3% on Monday to a record of 7822.24, extending its year‑to‑date rally to around 86% and cementing its status as one of the world’s top performers. JPMorgan’s move follows Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which last week raised its Kospi target to 9,000, citing Asia’s strongest earnings momentum.
While technicals will again look stretched near-term, “key fundamentals of the market remain on track for now — memory cycle conditions, governance reforms, thematic growth,” JPMorgan strategists including Mixo Das wrote in a note. “In these unique conditions, we believe it remains appropriate to stay positioned for further upside and not preemptively anticipate a cycle-end.”
As Kospi’s gains extend, overheating signals are also growing. The index has been in overbought territory every session this month, based on its 14‑day relative strength index. Market breadth is also narrow, with only about 120 stocks in the 835-member benchmark rising on Monday.
Steve Brice, Standard Chartered’s global chief investment officer, said there’s heightened risk of a correction in the coming weeks. The bank recently downgraded semiconductors to neutral from overweight.
“This is very much a crowded trade now,” he said in a Bloomberg TV interview. “So we wouldn’t be surprised at all to see some sort of short-term correction coming through.”
Domestic retail investors have been a key source of support for the latest leg of the rally, adding nearly 6 trillion won ($4 billion) worth of Kospi shares this month. Foreign investors have been taking profit, selling more than 7 trillion won on a net basis.
The next two years may mark a sustained upcycle for memory chips, driven by average selling prices and volumes, the strategists added. Memory-chip stocks account for 50% of the weight in the Korean equity benchmark and have driven about 70% of the gains this year.
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Read: Traders Looking for Next Leg in Global Stocks Rally Bet on Asia
--With assistance from Paul Allen.
(Updates with upside potential and Monday’s closing price in second and third paragraphs.)
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- Oil Jumps as Hormuz Stays Shut After Trump Rebuffs Iran’s Offer
May 11, 2026
(Bloomberg) -- Oil surged after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest response to his proposal to end the war in the Middle East, prolonging the effective closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
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Brent crude futures advanced as much as 4.5% to $105.80 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate traded near $100. In a social media post, Trump said the response was “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE” as the two sides struggle to maintain a fragile ceasefire following a series of flareups in hostilities.
The near-closure of Hormuz since the start of the war at the end of February has choked off supplies of crude, natural gas and fuels to global customers, driving up energy prices and raising inflation fears. The International Energy Agency says the conflict is causing the biggest supply shock in history.
“Optimism over an imminent deal between the US and Iran has faded, pushing crude higher,” said Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy for ING Groep NV in Singapore. “Fears will likely grow over the potential for re-escalation once again, leaving further upside to prices.”
Tehran offered to transfer some of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a third country, but rejected the idea of dismantling its nuclear facilities, the Wall Street Journal reported. Iran disputed the report, according to the nation’s semi-official news agency Tasnim.
A drone strike on Sunday that briefly set a cargo vessel ablaze off Qatar in the Persian Gulf marked the latest shipping attack in the region since the ceasefire began in early April. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait said they had intercepted hostile drones.
The market will only normalize in 2027 should shipping through Hormuz remain curtailed for more than a few weeks from now, Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said on Sunday. The company has redirected some oil flows through its Yanbu port on the west coast to offset lost supplies.
There has been a trickle of supply that has made it through the strait, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia successfully sneaking several tankers out, but total flows remain just a fraction of what they were before the war. Qatar also managed to get a liquefied natural gas shipment out, its first since the conflict began.
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Wall Street is growing increasingly convinced that shipping via the Strait of Hormuz will remain impaired into the second half of the year. A majority of respondents to a Goldman Sachs Group Inc. survey expected flows through the narrow waterway to be disrupted beyond the end of June.
In an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the war with Iran is “not over.” He said there is more work needed to dismantle the country’s nuclear capability and to remove its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Trump is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping this week, and US officials said Sunday that he is expected to press the Chinese leader over the Asian nation’s approach to Iran. Revenue that China provides to Iran as well as potential weapons exports would be among topics discussed.
Over 4,000 lots of Brent’s July contract changed hands in the first five minutes, compared with an average of under 1,000 contracts in recent opening sessions. The global benchmark’s prompt spread widened, with the gap above $4 a barrel in backwardation, a bullish structure pointing to tight supply.
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- Oil Dips Below $100 as US and Iran Weigh Deal to Reopen Hormuz
May 7, 2026
(Bloomberg) -- Oil slipped below $100 a barrel, extending an 8% slump in the previous session, as the US and Iran weighed a fresh push to end their war and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.
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Brent fell as much as 3.8% shortly after a post from Al Arabiya, a Saudi-affiliated outlet, said that agreements were reached on easing the US blockade in exchange for a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, citing sources. Futures soon pared the drop in volatile trading.
President Donald Trump is seeking an exit from a war that has led to spiraling energy prices and damaged his political standing as the closure of Hormuz cut off exports from the Persian Gulf, causing the worst-ever oil market disruption. The effort follows weeks of deadlock and failed diplomatic attempts to hold talks.
Washington has presented a one-page memorandum of understanding that will potentially lead to the gradual reopening of the waterway, a person familiar with the matter previously said.
The move comes in another volatile week for oil. Prices surged to about $115 on Monday after Iranian attacks on ships and energy infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, as the US sought to guide ships out of the Persian Gulf, testing a fragile ceasefire.
The vital shipping route has been largely closed since the end of February, when the US and Iran launched attacks on Iran. At present, the chokepoint faces a double blockade, with Tehran obstructing traffic, while the US Navy prevents vessels calling at or leaving Iranian ports to squeeze the nation’s oil industry. Shipowners remain cautious, with the strait still virtually empty.
“Crude’s slump is once again wildly and prematurely optimistic: the only thing that matters for the market is how and when does the Strait of Hormuz reopen,” said Vandana Hari, founder of analysis firm Vanda Insights. “At this point, that prospect is less than a faint shadow on the horizon,” she added.
The US will end its military campaign and lift its blockade “assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to,” President Donald Trump posted Wednesday, without details. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts.”
The American president is under pressure to bring the war to a close as US retail energy prices surge, fanning voters’ concerns about affordability. In addition, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are due to hold a summit in Beijing on May 14-15. This week, China’s top diplomat called for the swift reopening of Hormuz in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart.
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“President Trump seems very keen to make sure that Iran does not torpedo his summit with Xi,” said Will Todman, senior fellow in the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The US and Iran were never going to agree to a comprehensive deal in a rush, but agreeing to a framework buys them time and some calm.”
The latest US proposal came after Trump suspended a short-lived mission to offer safe passage for ships through Hormuz. Detailed talks over Iran’s nuclear program — central to Washington’s reasons for the war — would come later, the person familiar said, adding nothing has yet been agreed.
“A corner of the market will undoubtedly view a one-page memorandum to resume negotiations over the next thirty days as significant progress,” RBC Capital Markets LLC analysts including Helima Croft said in a note. “However, an MoU is unlikely to translate into an immediate resumption of shipping traffic and major production restarts.”
Meanwhile, US government data showed exports of oil products rose to a record last week as the country became a key supplier of fuel to the world amid the supply crunch caused by the conflict. Crude inventories fell.
--With assistance from Charlie Zhu and Sarah Chen.
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- HSBC Results Disappoint With Surprise $400 Million Charge on MFS
May 5, 2026
(Bloomberg) -- HSBC Holdings Plc reported profit that missed estimates, weighed down by an unexpected charge related to the collapse of UK mortgage lender Market Financial Solutions Ltd. and rising economic risks stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.
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Pretax profit for the first three months of the year fell to $9.4 billion, missing the $9.6 billion average estimate compiled by the bank. Those results were partially offset by a resilient performance within the lender’s wealth and Hong Kong units, as well as an upgrade to its net interest income outlook.
The London-based bank booked $1.3 billion in expected credit losses for the period. This figure was driven largely by a $400 million charge linked to what the bank described as a “fraud-related, secondary, securitization exposure with a financial sponsor in the UK.”
That’s tied to the failure of specialized lender Market Financial Solutions, also known as MFS, according to a person with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Apollo Global Management Inc.’s unit Atlas SP Partners is the financial sponsor, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter that it didn’t identify.
HSBC also recorded a $300 million increase in allowances tied to a deteriorating global economic outlook following the onset of hostilities in the Middle East.
The “results contained a fair amount of noise across revenue and cost lines, but the underlying picture is one of a mildly stronger banking NII print and ongoing strength in wealth,” Joseph Dickerson and Priya Rathod, analysts at Jefferies, said in a note. They rate the shares a hold.
HSBC’s shares were down 6.25% at 10:03 a.m. in London. The lender’s exposure to the MFS saga underlines how intertwined banking has become with private credit and nonbanks, with firms including Barclays Plc and Banco Santander SA also caught out.
The broadening scope of the conflict in Iran is also threatening a region that HSBC had targeted for aggressive wealth and corporate banking expansion, though the bank hasn’t operated in Iran for more than a decade. It joins several European banks, which have collectively sidelined hundreds of millions of euros to buffer against the regional instability. The heightened allowances underscore the shifting risk profile for global lenders as geopolitical tensions threaten to disrupt key growth markets.
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HSBC also said it expects 2026 ECL charges to be about 45 basis points of average gross loans, from its previous estimate of around 40 basis points.
The wild swings in prices of assets ranging from bonds to currencies and commodities have had a varying impact on bank earnings this season. Stock traders at Barclays Plc have beat expectations, while fixed-income and FX fell short, broadly similar to their peers at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. On the other hand, JPMorgan Chase & Co. notched its highest-ever quarterly trading revenue, with both equities and FICC beating estimates.
Last week, Standard Chartered Plc took a $296 million credit impairment charge, of which $190 million related to what the Asia and Middle East-focused lender said was “precautionary management overlays” tied to the Gulf region.
The Iran war has battered the region’s economies and caused disruptions to global supply chains. As the world’s largest trade bank and a key financial pipeline connecting the East with the West, HSBC is sensitive to the geopolitical ructions resulting from the hostilities.
HSBC has been on a major restructuring drive for the past 18 months ever since Elhedery took over as CEO in September 2024. The Lebanon-born banker has shut down, merged and sold several businesses in an effort to simplify the bank’s business and reduce costs. Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. said on late Monday that it’s buying HSBC’s retail and wealth assets in Indonesia.
The transformation of HSBC has been welcomed by investors, with the shares hitting all-time highs this year. The outbreak of the US-Iran war caused the stock to plunge briefly before it pared most of those losses.
--With assistance from Tom Metcalf.
(Updates with details on charge throughout.)
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- Standard Chartered PLC Just Recorded A 23% EPS Beat: Here's What Analysts Are Forecasting Next
May 3, 2026
As you might know, Standard Chartered PLC (LON:STAN) just kicked off its latest first-quarter results with some very strong numbers. It was overall a positive result, with revenues beating expectations by 3.3% to hit US$5.9b. Standard Chartered also reported a statutory profit of US$0.72, which was an impressive 23% above what the analysts had forecast. This is an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance in its report, look at what experts are forecasting for next year, and see if there has been any change to expectations for the business. With this in mind, we've gathered the latest statutory forecasts to see what the analysts are expecting for next year.
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After the latest results, the 14 analysts covering Standard Chartered are now predicting revenues of US$22.1b in 2026. If met, this would reflect a satisfactory 6.7% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory per share are forecast to be US$2.23, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Before this earnings report, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of US$21.9b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$2.18 in 2026. So the consensus seems to have become somewhat more optimistic on Standard Chartered's earnings potential following these results.
See our latest analysis for Standard Chartered
The consensus price target was unchanged at UK£19.76, implying that the improved earnings outlook is not expected to have a long term impact on value creation for shareholders. That's not the only conclusion we can draw from this data however, as some investors also like to consider the spread in estimates when evaluating analyst price targets. Currently, the most bullish analyst values Standard Chartered at UK£22.46 per share, while the most bearish prices it at UK£15.05. Still, with such a tight range of estimates, it suggeststhe analysts have a pretty good idea of what they think the company is worth.
Looking at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can make sense of these forecasts is to see how they measure up against both past performance and industry growth estimates. We can infer from the latest estimates that forecasts expect a continuation of Standard Chartered'shistorical trends, as the 9.0% annualised revenue growth to the end of 2026 is roughly in line with the 9.4% annual growth over the past five years. Compare this with the broader industry, which analyst estimates (in aggregate) suggest will see revenues grow 6.5% annually. So it's pretty clear that Standard Chartered is forecast to grow substantially faster than its industry.
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The Bottom Line
The most important thing here is that the analysts upgraded their earnings per share estimates, suggesting that there has been a clear increase in optimism towards Standard Chartered following these results. Fortunately, they also reconfirmed their revenue numbers, suggesting that it's tracking in line with expectations. Additionally, our data suggests that revenue is expected to grow faster than the wider industry. The consensus price target held steady at UK£19.76, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets.
Keeping that in mind, we still think that the longer term trajectory of the business is much more important for investors to consider. We have forecasts for Standard Chartered going out to 2028, and you can see them free on our platform here.
You still need to take note of risks, for example - Standard Chartered has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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- Standard Chartered PLC (SCBFF) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Income Growth Amid ...
May 1, 2026
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
First Quarter Income: $5.9 billion, up 9% year-on-year. Profit Before Tax: $2.5 billion. Return on Tangible Equity: 17.4%. Earnings Per Share (EPS): Increased by 31%. Net Interest Income (NII): Down 3% quarter-on-quarter. Noninterest Income: Up 16% year-on-year, comprising 51% of group income. Operating Expenses: Up 1% year-on-year. Credit Impairment: $296 million, including $190 million in precautionary overlays. Annualized Loan Loss Rate: 32 basis points. Customer Loans and Advances: Up 3% or $10 billion. Customer Deposits: Up 3%. Risk-Weighted Assets: Up 3% in the quarter. CET1 Ratio: 13.4%. CIB Income: $3.6 billion, up 6%. Global Banking Income: Up 19%. Global Markets Flow Income: Up 17%. WRB Income: Up 13% to $2.5 billion. Wealth Solutions Income: Up 32%. Affluent Net New Money Inflow: $18 billion, 16% annualized growth in Affluent AUM.
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with SCBFF. Is SCBFF fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator.
Release Date: April 30, 2026
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
Standard Chartered PLC (SCBFF) reported a strong start to 2026 with record income driven by wealth solutions, global banking, and global markets. The company achieved a 9% increase in first-quarter income, reaching $5.9 billion, with noninterest income up 16% year-on-year. Profit before tax was $2.5 billion, with a return on tangible equity of 17.4% and a 31% increase in EPS. The company saw a 3% growth in underlying loans and advances to customers, primarily from global banking and secured wealth lending. Affluent net new money inflow was $18 billion, demonstrating strong engagement with a growing affluent client base.
Negative Points
Net interest income (NII) was down 3% quarter-on-quarter due to lower rates, particularly HIBOR. The company took $190 million in precautionary overlays related to the Middle East conflict, impacting credit impairment. Risk-weighted assets increased by 3%, driven by asset growth and market risk, which could pressure capital ratios. Expenses rose by 1% year-on-year, with business growth and inflation offset by efficiency savings. The Middle East conflict poses ongoing risks, with potential impacts on sovereign downgrades and energy supply disruptions.
Q & A Highlights
Q: Why is Standard Chartered maintaining conservative guidance for 2026 despite a strong start to the year? A: Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, explained that while the first quarter showed strong momentum, the bank remains cautious due to potential impacts from the Middle East conflict. Manus Costello, Global Head of Investor Relations, added that the bank is cycling past strong results and facing headwinds from interest rate changes and portfolio actions, justifying the conservative guidance.
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Q: How does Standard Chartered view the impact of the Middle East conflict on its risk-weighted assets (RWA) and overlays? A: Peter Burrill, Interim Group Chief Financial Officer, stated that the overlays for sovereign risk are manageable and not material. The bank has taken precautionary measures, but the impact on RWAs is expected to be within guidance.
Q: Can you provide more details on the strong performance in the wealth and global markets segments? A: Bill Winters highlighted that the wealth segment saw record inflows and strong client activity, driven by new client acquisitions and robust investment product offerings. The global markets segment benefited from investments in electronic platforms and increased client activity, particularly in rates and FX products.
Q: What are the expectations for net interest income (NII) given the current interest rate environment? A: Manus Costello noted that while NII is expected to remain broadly flat for 2026, the bank is monitoring pass-through rates and portfolio actions that could impact NII. The bank remains cautious due to potential volatility in interest rates.
Q: How is Standard Chartered managing capital efficiency and growth in light of increased lending opportunities? A: Bill Winters emphasized that the bank is deploying capital profitably, with a focus on maintaining a CET1 ratio within the 13% to 14% range. The bank is confident in its ability to manage capital effectively while capturing lending opportunities.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
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- Standard Chartered PLC (SCBFF) Q1 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates
Apr 30, 2026
Standard Chartered PLC (SCBFF) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.72 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.54 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.61 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +33.33%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.38 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.36, delivering a surprise of -5.26%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Standard Chartered, which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry, posted revenues of $5.9 billion for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.15%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $5.38 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Standard Chartered shares have lost about 4.4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 4.2%.
What's Next for Standard Chartered?
While Standard Chartered has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Standard Chartered was favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.69 on $5.76 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $2.26 on $22.02 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Story Continues
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Banks - Foreign is currently in the bottom 30% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU), has yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2026.
This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.20 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +66.7%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Nu Holdings Ltd.'s revenues are expected to be $4.97 billion, up 53% from the year-ago quarter.
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
Zacks Investment Research
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- FRN Variable Rate Fix
Apr 28, 2026
LONDON, April 28, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
As Agent Bank, please be advised of the following rate determined on: 4/28/2026 Issue ¦ Standard Chartered PLC USD 750,000,000 FRN Perpetual ISIN Number ¦ USG84228AT58 ISIN Reference ¦ US853254AA86 Issue Nomin USD ¦ 750000000 Period ¦ 4/30/2026 to 7/30/2026 Payment Date 7/30/2026 Number of Days ¦ 91 Rate ¦ 5.435 Denomination USD ¦ 100000 ¦ 750000000 ¦ Amount Payable per Denomination ¦ 1373.85 ¦ 10303875 ¦ Bank of New York Rate Fix Desk Telephone ¦ 44 1202 689580 Corporate Trust Services Facsimile ¦ 44 1202 689601
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260428661645/en/
Contacts
Bank of New York Mellon
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- Standard Chartered, BlackRock, OKX launch collateral framework for tokenised Treasury fund
Apr 28, 2026
April 28 (Reuters) - Standard Chartered announced on Tuesday the launch of a new framework that permits institutional clients to use BlackRock's tokenised short-term U.S. Treasury fund as collateral on the crypto trading platform OKX.
Here are some details:
• The lender has partnered with BlackRock and OKX to enable the trading platform's VIP and institutional clients to use the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity (BUIDL) Fund as collateral for trading activities on OKX Middle East.
• Standard Chartered will serve as custodian for the off-exchange collateral arrangement, which the companies described as the first such framework backed by a globally systemically important bank.
• The setup is designed to reduce the need for clients to transfer assets between a custodian and a trading venue, while maintaining protections outside the exchange, the lender said.
• BlackRock's tokenised fund invests in cash, U.S. Treasury bills and repurchase agreements, with yield distributed on-chain.
(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
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