Standard Chartered Regulatory News (STAN)

29 April 2020

Standard Chartered PLC - first quarter 2020 results

Standard Chartered PLC (the Group) today releases its results for the quarter ended 31 March 2020. All figures are presented on an underlying basis and comparisons are made to the first quarter in 2019 on a reported currency basis, unless otherwise stated.

"The unique characteristics of the Standard Chartered franchise are coming through strongly as the impact of COVID-19 evolves. Our teams around the network are responding very well, staying close to our clients. While pressure on credit quality has increased recently, we delivered good underlying income growth of six per cent in the first quarter and maintained strong cost discipline.

We try to show every day that we are 'Here for good', as individuals and collectively, and I am proud of the way my 91,000 colleagues around the world are facing this challenge. Among the many support initiatives being rolled out across our 59 markets, we have launched a $50 million global fund with donations from colleagues and the bank to provide assistance to those affected by COVID-19 and related economic impacts and have committed up to $1 billion of financing, offered at cost, for companies that are providing goods and services to help in the fight against the pandemic. That's in addition to the help we are providing all our clients as they face ongoing challenges. We won't stop there and will continue to think of practical and impactful ways to make a difference.

While sentiment globally is extremely depressed now, the uniqueness of this franchise and the work we have done since 2015 to secure its foundations gives me confidence that we can come through the crisis with strength."

Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive

Selected information concerning 1Q'20 financial performance

· Income up 13% to $4.3bn; up 15% constant currency (ccy)

o Excluding $358m positive movement in Debit Valuation Adjustment (DVA), income was up 6% ccy

· Costs down 2% to $2.4bn; down 1% ccy

o Positive income-to-cost jaws of 6% ex-DVA; cost-to-income ratio improved 4 percentage points to 59% ex-DVA

· Net interest margin down 2bps from 4Q'19 to 1.52%

· Credit impairment rose significantly, driven primarily by the economic impact of the rapid spread of COVID-19

o Stage 1 and 2 impairment up $388m to $451m

§ Approximately half due to modelled outcome and half due to management overlay

o Stage 3 impairment increased $490m to $505m; ~50% from two exposures in different markets and sectors

o Gross stage 3 plus credit grade 12 exposures up 2% in 1Q'20 to $9.2bn; early alerts more than doubled to $11.5bn

· Return on tangible equity down 100bps to 8.6%

o Pre-provision operating profit up 41% to $2.0bn; up 16% ccy and ex-DVA

o Underlying profit before tax down 12% to $1.2bn; down 36% ccy and ex-DVA

o Statutory profit before tax down 29% to $0.9bn, includes $249m goodwill impairment in India from GDP growth revision

· Risk-weighted assets of $273bn up $9bn or 3% in 1Q'20; mostly attributable to the impact of COVID-19

· The Group remains strongly capitalised and highly liquid, enabling support for clients and communities through COVID-19

o Common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio in middle of 13-14% medium-term target range at 13.4%: down 45bps since 4Q'19

§ 60bps reduction from risk-weighted asset growth; partly offset by profits and decision to suspend distributions in 2020

§ Permata sale is expected to complete in 2Q'20 and to increase CET1 by 40bps

o Liquidity coverage ratio resilient in stressed market conditions; broadly flat QoQ at 142% (4Q'19: 144%)

o $5bn of $45bn committed revolving facilities utilised; draw-down rate slowed significantly in April

· Earnings per share down 2.3c or 8% to 25.4c; 40m shares bought back and cancelled in 1Q'20

Outlook

We expect a gradual recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with major contraction in economic growth rates across most of the world in the second quarter, before the global economy moves out of recession in the latter part of 2020, most likely led and driven by markets in our footprint. The pace at which individual markets recover will be heavily dependent on the efficacy of government stimulus initiatives and policies to ease restrictions, as well as the resilience of the COVID-19 virus itself. We are well prepared for a protracted period of severe dislocation and will continue to support our clients and employees and to manage our risk, capital and liquidity with that view in mind.

We said in February that if income grows more slowly due to exogenous factors then so must our costs. We are acting to manage our costs prudently while doing everything we can to protect jobs. And while the decision to cancel last year's final dividend and not consider an interim dividend this year was difficult, it was taken in the light of extraordinary circumstances and will ensure that we have more capital to support individuals, businesses and the communities in which we operate through these difficult times.

If we are wrong about the pace of recovery and the global economy gets back on its feet rapidly - and we are seeing encouraging early signs of that happening in China - then the actions we are taking now will make us leaner and fitter to take advantage of the opportunities that will bring.

1 Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders is after the deduction of dividends payable to the holders of non-cumulative redeemable preference shares and Additional Tier 1 securities classified as equity

2 When calculating this ratio, total loans and advances to customers excludes reverse repurchase agreements and other similar secured lending, excludes approved balances held with central banks, confirmed as repayable at the point of stress and includes loans and advances to customers held at fair value through profit and loss. Total customer accounts includes customer accounts held at fair value through profit or loss.

3 Represents the underlying or statutory earnings divided by the basic weighted average number of shares

4 Calculated on period end net asset value, tangible net asset value and number of shares

5 Variance is better/(worse) other than assets, liabilities and risk-weighted assets

6 Not meaningful

Standard Chartered PLC - Table of Contents

Forward-looking statements

This document may contain 'forward-looking statements' that are based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future events. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as 'may', 'could', 'will', 'expect', 'intend', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'believe', 'plan', 'seek', 'continue' or other words of similar meaning.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results, and the Group's plans and objectives, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Recipients should not place reliance on, and are cautioned about relying on, any forward-looking statements. There are several factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to) changes in global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces or conditions, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax rates, future business combinations or dispositions and other factors specific to the Group. Any forward-looking statement contained in this document is based on past or current trends and/or activities of the Group and should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future.

No statement in this document is intended to be a profit forecast or to imply that the earnings of the Group for the current year or future years will necessarily match or exceed the historical or published earnings of the Group. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. Except as required by any applicable laws or regulations, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement contained within this document, regardless of whether those statements are affected as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Please refer to the Company's latest Annual Report for a discussion of certain of the risks and factors that could cause actual results, and the Group's plans and objectives, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

Nothing in this document shall constitute, in any jurisdiction, an offer or solicitation to sell or purchase any securities or other financial instruments, nor shall it constitute a recommendation or advice in respect of any securities or other financial instruments or any other matter.

This information will be available on the Group's website at www.sc.com

Standard Chartered PLC - Group Chief Financial Officer's review

'Our actions over recent years to secure our foundations have prepared us well to manage our way through this crisis'

Summary of financial performance

Strong business momentum in the opening weeks of the year continued well into the first quarter, with almost all of the Group's products generating positive income growth overall despite the rapid spread of COVID-19 that impacted the Group's results mainly in March. Pre-provision operating profit improved significantly with income excluding the impact of a $358 million positive movement in the debit valuation adjustment (DVA) growing at a faster rate than costs. Underlying profit fell due to substantially higher credit impairment driven in part by the deteriorating macroeconomic outlook.

It is not possible to reliably quantify the impact of the spread of COVID-19 on the Group's future financial performance, but the consequences for the global economy are likely to lead to further impairments and could affect income, risk-weighted assets and possibly costs. The Group is monitoring the situation carefully and is committed to deploying its strong capital and liquidity to support its clients and the communities it operates in through the crisis.

All commentary that follows is on an underlying basis and comparisons are made to the equivalent period in 2019 on a reported currency basis, unless otherwise stated.

• Operating income grew 13 per cent including a $358 million positive movement in the DVA. Income was up 6 per cent on a constant currency basis and excluding DVA

• Net interest income decreased 4 per cent with increased volumes more than offset by a 14 basis point decrease in net interest margin. The decisions by the US Federal Reserve in March to drop its benchmark interest rate in total by 150 basis points along with actions undertaken by other central banks is estimated to have an impact of a further $600 million for the Group's income in 2020

• Other income increased 31 per cent, or 12 per cent excluding the positive impact of movements in DVA, with a particularly strong underlying performance in Financial Markets

• Operating expenses were 2 per cent lower and 1 per cent lower on a constant currency basis, with tight control of costs generating positive income-to-cost jaws of 16 per cent on a reported basis, or 6 per cent on a constant currency basis excluding DVA. The cost-to-income ratio improved 4 percentage points to 59 per cent excluding DVA

• Given the substantial economic uncertainties arising from the spread of COVID-19 and the significantly lower interest rate environment the Group is targeting total costs excluding the UK bank levy below $10 billion for full-year 2020 by implementing measures including accruing lower variable compensation, reducing and re-prioritising discretionary investment spend and pausing new hiring

• Credit impairment increased by $878 million to $956 million. Stage 1 and 2 impairments increased by $388 million, of which around half was attributable to modelled outcomes with the rest due to a management overlay to reflect deterioration in the macroeconomic outlook not captured in the modelled outcome. Impairments of stage 3 assets increased $490 million with just under half the increase related to two Corporate & Institutional Banking clients in unconnected sectors

• Other impairment was a $154 million credit, primarily driven by a reversal of previously impaired assets partially offset by impairment charges relating to aircraft

• Profit from associates and joint ventures was down 17 per cent to $55 million due to the impact of the spread of COVID-19 on the performance of China Bohai Bank

• Underlying profit before tax decreased 12 per cent. Charges relating to restructuring, provisions for regulatory matters and other items increased $194 million to $336 million, primarily relating to $249 million goodwill impairment in India due to a lower GDP growth outlook

• Taxation was $369 million on a statutory basis with an underlying effective tax rate of 30 per cent flat to prior year

• Underlying return on tangible equity declined by 100 basis points to 8.6 per cent, with the impact of reduced profits partly offset by lower tangible equity reflecting the share buy-back programmes completed since 1Q'19

Transaction Banking income was down 8 per cent, from a 10 per cent decline in Cash Management with strong liability growth more than offset by declining margins reflecting a reduced interest rate environment. Trade declined 6 per cent from lower balances while Securities Services income grew 1 per cent.

Financial Markets income grew 60 per cent or 11 per cent excluding DVA, benefiting from heightened market volatility, wider spreads and increased hedging and investment activity by clients. There was strong double-digit growth in Rates and Foreign Exchange partly offset by declines in Credit and Capital Markets and in the Capital Structuring Distribution Group.

Corporate Finance income grew 6 per cent reflecting completion of prior year pipeline activity and increased balances from drawdowns on revolving credit facilities.

Lending and Portfolio Management income was up 4 per cent with improved margins and increased volumes in Corporate Lending.

Wealth Management income grew 14 per cent with online sales more than offsetting lower branch sales from reduced branch walk-ins due to COVID-19 related social distancing, with particularly strong performance in FX and fixed income sales.

Retail Products income was down 1 per cent on a reported basis and up 1 per cent on a constant currency basis with a 4 per cent decline in Deposits from lower margins partly offset by a 5 per cent increase in Mortgages and Auto benefiting from increased volumes and margins.

Treasury income grew 6 per cent with increased Treasury Markets realisation gains from the sale of longer-dated securities as bond yields fell partly offset by a $38 million unfavourable movement in hedge ineffectiveness and reduced interest income on deployed assets within Treasury Markets.

Corporate & Institutional Banking remains the largest contributor to the overall Group's profit before tax from a client segment perspective. Its profit fell 4 per cent, with strong performance in Financial Markets and the benefit of a $358 million positive movement in DVA offset by increased impairments. Retail Banking profit declined 20 per cent with income growth offset by impairments including the management overlay. Commercial Banking profit reduced 45 per cent due to increased impairments, while a non-repeat of a prior-year impairment release meant Private Banking profit was down 49 per cent. Profit in Central & other items improved 25 per cent due to higher Treasury Markets income.

Greater China & North Asia remains the largest regional contributor to the overall Group's profit before tax, with profit down just 1 per cent despite being the region most impacted by the effect of COVID-19 in the first quarter. Increased impairments were the primary drivers of the 6 per cent lower profit in ASEAN & South Asia and the 83 per cent profit decline in Africa & Middle East. Europe & Americas generated $101 million in profit, up from a $(32) million loss in the same period last year, including a $190 million positive movement in DVA. There was a 37 per cent reduction in profit in Central & other items mainly due to lower returns paid to Treasury on the equity provided to the regions from a falling interest rate environment.

The Group in 2019 changed its accounting policy for net interest income and the basis of preparation of its net interest margin to better reflect the underlying performance of its banking book. See notes to the financial statements in the 2019 Annual Report for further details.

Adjusted net interest income was down 2 per cent versus the prior quarter with an increase in interest-earning assets offset by lower day count and a 2 basis points reduction in net interest margin which averaged 152 basis points for the quarter:

• Average interest-earning assets increased 1 per cent in the quarter driven by an increase in Treasury Market assets. Gross yields declined 24 basis points compared to the average in the prior quarter and predominantly reflected the flow-through of declining interest rates in the second half of 2019 and those that occurred in the quarter

• Average interest-bearing liabilities increased 2 per cent driven by growth in customer accounts. The rate paid on liabilities decreased 26 basis points compared to the average in the prior quarter reflecting interest rate movements

The decisions by the US Federal Reserve in March to drop its benchmark interest rate in total by 150 basis points along with actions undertaken by other central banks is estimated to have an impact of a further $600 million for the Group's income in 2020.

The Group in 2019 changed its accounting policy to report interest in suspense for stage 3 exposures. This results in an increase in gross stage 3 exposures and provisions, with no change to net stage 3 assets. Prior period balances have been restated. See notes to the financial statements in the 2019 Annual Report for further details.

Asset quality deteriorated in the quarter reflecting primarily the impact of COVID-19. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has resulted in significantly reduced economic forecasts and increased geopolitical uncertainty. The Group remains vigilant in the light of the developing situation, and reviews and stress tests of its portfolio are carried out regularly to help identify then mitigate any risks that may arise.

Credit impairment increased by $878 million compared to 1Q'19 and by $583 million compared to 4Q'19.

Stage 1 and 2 impairments increased by $388 million, of which around half was attributable to modelled outcomes and half was due to a management overlay to reflect deterioration in the macroeconomic outlook not captured in the modelled outcome.

Stage 3 impairments increased in every client segment with approximately half of the increase due to two Corporate & Institutional Banking clients in unrelated markets and sectors.

Gross stage 3 loans and advances to customers of $7.8 billion were up 5 per cent compared with 31 December 2019 primarily due to increased inflows in Corporate & Institutional Banking. These credit-impaired loans represented 2.8 per cent of gross loans and advances, an increase of 10 basis points compared with 31 December 2019.

The stage 3 cover ratio reduced to 65 per cent from 68 per cent as at 31 December 2019 as new downgrades incurred lower levels of provisions but are partially covered by collateral. The cover ratio after collateral was flat at 85 per cent.

Credit grade 12 balances decreased 9 per cent since 31 December 2019 with new inflows including the impact of sovereign downgrades more than offset by outflows to stage 3 and repayments.

Early alert accounts more than doubled to $11.5 billion compared to 31 December 2019 with all exposures in the Aviation sector put on either purely precautionary or non-purely precautionary early alert, and a particular focus on exposures in the Oil & Gas, Metals & Mining, Commodity Traders and Automobiles & Components sectors.

The proportion of investment grade corporate exposures has remained broadly stable at 62 per cent.

The Group's statutory performance is adjusted for profits or losses of a capital nature, amounts consequent to investment transactions driven by strategic intent, other infrequent and/or exceptional transactions that are significant or material in the context of the Group's normal business earnings for the period and items which management and investors would ordinarily identify separately when assessing underlying performance period-by period.

Restructuring charges of $92 million primarily reflect impairments from the Group's discontinued ship leasing and principal finance businesses. Other items of $258 million relates mainly to goodwill impairment on the Group's subsidiary in India due to a lower economic growth forecast and increases to the discount rate.

The Group's balance sheet remains strong, liquid and well diversified.

• Loans and advances to customers increased 1 per cent since 31 December 2019 to $271 billion driven mainly by growth in Corporate Lending and Corporate Finance partly offset by reduced Trade balances. The increase in Corporate Lending and Corporate Finance reflects increased draw-downs on revolving credit facilities due to the effects of the emerging COVID-19 crisis in March. The weekly rate of new draw-downs subsequently reduced to around zero by the middle of April

• Customer accounts of $422 billion increased 4 per cent since 31 December 2019 with an increase in operating account balances within Cash Management and Retail Banking current accounts partly offset by a reduction in Retail Banking time deposits

• Other assets increased 9 per cent since 31 December 2019 driven by increased derivative assets and reverse repurchase agreements to support the strong growth in Financial Markets. Other liabilities increased 13 per cent from increased trading book liabilities and derivative liabilities

The advances-to-deposits ratio reduced slightly to 61.9 per cent from 64.2 per cent at 31 December 2019. The liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) was resilient, decreasing slightly from 144 per cent to 142 per cent in extremely challenging market conditions and remains well above the minimum regulatory requirement of 100 per cent. The Group was able to issue $2 billion senior unsecured debt in March which boosted LCR by 2 basis points and demonstrated its ability to access markets during stressed conditions.

Total risk-weighted assets (RWA) increased 3 per cent or $9 billion since 31 December 2019 to $273 billion mostly as a result of the impact of economic disruption related to COVID-19

• Credit Risk RWA increased $7 billion to $223 billion reflecting the impact of economic disruption related to COVID-19 on asset growth and credit migration. Asset growth increased RWAs by $9 billion primarily from increased draw-downs on revolving credit facilities and mark-to-market movements on derivatives. Negative credit migration increased RWA by $2 billion but was more than offset by foreign currency translation reducing RWAs by $5 billion

• Operational Risk RWA increased 1 per cent primarily due to an increase in average income as measured over a rolling three-year time horizon, with higher 2019 income replacing lower 2016 income

• Market Risk RWA increased by $1 billion to $22 billion due to higher levels of Financial Markets activity with increased value at risk from historically high levels of market volatility partly offset by regulatory mitigation for back-testing exceptions

The ongoing execution of organic and inorganic RWA optimisation initiatives supports the expectation that income growth should exceed RWA growth in the medium-term despite potential short-term headwinds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Group announced on 31 March that in response to a request from the Prudential Regulation Authority and as a consequence of the unprecedented challenges facing the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the board had decided after careful consideration to withdraw the recommendation to pay a final dividend for 2019 of 20 cents per ordinary share and to suspend the buy-back programme announced on 28 February 2020. Furthermore, no interim dividend on ordinary shares will be accrued, recommended or paid in 2020. The board's recommendation regarding a final dividend in 2020 will take into account the financial performance of the Group for the full year and the medium-term outlook at that time.

The board fully recognises the importance of dividends to the Group's owners. However, suspending ordinary shareholder distributions will allow the Group to maximise its support for individuals, businesses and the communities in which it operates whilst at the same time preserving strong capital ratios and investing to transform the business for the long term.

The Group is well capitalised with low leverage and high levels of loss-absorbing capacity. Its capital and liquidity metrics remain well above regulatory thresholds. 

The Group had through the buy-back programme announced on 28 February 2020 spent $242 million purchasing 40 million ordinary shares of $0.50 each, representing a volume-weighted average price per share of £4.76. These shares were subsequently cancelled, reducing the total issued share capital by 1.3 per cent.

The Group on 20 April 2020 announced a revision to the purchase price to be paid for its stake in PT Bank Permata Tbk, subject to the transaction closing earlier than originally expected on or before 30 June 2020. Completion of the sale on the revised terms would generate an increase in the Group's common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio of approximately 40 basis points.

The Group's CET1 ratio of 13.4 per cent was 45 basis points lower than as at 31 December 2019, over three percentage points above the Group's latest regulatory minimum of 10.0 per cent and still within its 13-14 per cent medium-term target range. Around 60 basis points of the reduction in the CET1 ratio is the impact on credit RWAs from asset growth and negative credit migration. FX translation reduced both reserves and RWAs and caused a net 10 basis point decline in the CET1 ratio. The $242 million share buy-back also reduced the CET1 ratio by 10 basis points. The aggregate of these movements was partly offset by an aggregate 40 basis point impact from profit accretion in the first quarter and the cancellation of the 2019 final dividend.

The Group's UK leverage ratio of 4.9 per cent was down 30 basis points compared with 31 December 2019 as a result of lower Tier 1 capital following the call of $2 billion Additional Tier 1 securities as well as growth in the leverage exposure measure. The Group's leverage ratio remains significantly above its minimum requirement of 3.7 per cent.

The UK Financial Policy Committee and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority both announced changes to the respective counter-cyclical buffer rates in response to the economic impact of COVID-19. In the period, the UK counter-cyclical rate decreased from 1 per cent to 0 per cent and in Hong Kong the rate reduced from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. Changes to these and other counter-cyclical buffer rates reduced the Group's minimum CET1 requirement from 10.2% to 10.0%. The Group continues to target a CET1 ratio of 13-14 per cent in the medium-term.

Outlook

We expect a gradual recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with major contraction in economic growth rates across most of the world in the second quarter, before the global economy moves out of recession in the latter part of 2020,  most likely led and driven by markets in our footprint. The pace at which individual markets recover will be heavily dependent on the efficacy of government stimulus initiatives and policies to ease restrictions, as well as the resilience of the COVID-19 virus itself. We are well prepared for a protracted period of severe dislocation and will continue to support our clients and employees and to manage our risk, capital and liquidity with that view in mind.

We said in February that if income grows more slowly due to exogenous factors then so must our costs. We are acting to manage our costs prudently while doing everything we can to protect jobs. And while the decision to cancel last year's final dividend and not consider an interim dividend this year was difficult, it was taken in the light of extraordinary circumstances and will ensure that we have more capital to support individuals, businesses and the communities in which we operate through these difficult times.

If we are wrong about the pace of recovery and the global economy gets back on its feet rapidly - and we are seeing encouraging early signs of that happening in China - then the actions we are taking now will make us leaner and fitter to take advantage of the opportunities that will bring.

Andy Halford

Group Chief Financial Officer

29 April 2020

For further information, please contact:

Mark Stride, Head of Investor Relations +44 (0) 20 7885 8596

Julie Gibson, Head of Media Relations +44 (0) 20 7885 2434