** HSBC & Standard Chartered start theweek off on the front foot after Barclays analysts see betterdays ahead for the sector heavyweights.
** HSBC up 0.5 pct, StanChart up 0.6 pct.
** StanChart shares in Hong Kong hit a 52-week lowearlier in the day.
** Slide this month in both stocks has pushed valuations on a P/B basis to large discounts vs broader market. Chart: http://link.reuters.com/raz92w
** Per Barclays, neither HSBC nor StanChart has traded atthis deep a P/B discount to their peers since 2000.
** Barcap prefers HSBC which it rates a "overweight" vs StanChart which it rates "equalweight."
** Broker says HSBC has made more progress on restructuringbusinesses, while StanChart has yet to meaningfully addressheadwinds.
** Financials the biggest boost to the FTSE 100 withBarclays, up 1.8 pct, enjoying the best gains withinthe sector. (RM://tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)