Ritholtz Wealth Management Boosts Stock Position in HSBC Holdings plc $HSBC

Ritholtz Wealth Management increased its holdings in HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 140,354 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 7,535 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Management’s holdings in HSBC were worth $9,962,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of HSBC. Mather Group LLC. bought a new stake in shares of HSBC in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of HSBC by 152.6% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 432 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of HSBC in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of HSBC by 101.7% during the 2nd quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 464 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in HSBC in the second quarter worth $31,000. Institutional investors own 1.48% of the company’s stock.

Key HSBC News

Here are the key news stories impacting HSBC this week:

• Positive Sentiment: HSBC has launched a strategic review of its insurance business in Singapore (reports say a sale is being explored and the unit could be worth >$1bn). Investors often view disposals of non-core assets as value-unlocking and a way to simplify the group’s footprint, which can support the shares if buyers emerge or proceeds are returned to shareholders. HSBC to review Singapore insurance business as it slims down globally
• Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on HSBC with an “equal weight” rating. New coverage can increase liquidity in the stock and bring fresh analyst attention, but an equal-weight start is a steady, non-committal signal rather than a catalyst for a strong re-rating. Morgan Stanley Begins Coverage on HSBC (NYSE:HSBC)
• Neutral Sentiment: HSBC research highlighted two large-cap AI names as likely earnings winners (not a direct mover for HSBC shares, but it showcases the bank’s equity research capabilities that can support trading and fee income). Investors should treat this as a non-core signal about research quality rather than a driver of HSBC equity performance. HSBC Says These 2 AI Stocks Are Likely to Be Earnings Winners. Should You Buy Them Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: HSBC strategists (Max Kettner) reiterated a bullish stance on equities, which is macro commentary that can underpin broader market sentiment but is not a direct company-specific catalyst. We’re ‘almost maximum bullish’ on equities, particularly in the US.: HSBC’s Max Kettner
• Neutral Sentiment: HSBC research pieces (e.g., on the smart-glasses market and regional sustainability surveys) reinforce its institutional research output — useful for franchise/fees but not immediate drivers of HSBC Holdings’ share price. Smart glasses market will be worth $200 billion by 2040, HSBC says

HSBC Stock Performance

Shares of HSBC stock opened at $82.76 on Friday. HSBC Holdings plc has a 12 month low of $45.66 and a 12 month high of $83.05. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The firm has a market cap of $284.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.42, a P/E/G ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.52. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $75.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $69.20.

HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $17.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.78 billion. HSBC had a net margin of 12.85% and a return on equity of 12.78%. On average, equities research analysts expect that HSBC Holdings plc will post 6.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

HSBC Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. This is a positive change from HSBC’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. HSBC’s payout ratio is currently 41.68%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on HSBC shares. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of HSBC in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Bank of America raised shares of HSBC from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on HSBC in a research report on Wednesday. They set an “equal weight” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of HSBC in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded HSBC from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $63.00.

About HSBC

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.