HSBC Holdings
HSBC
is mulling to cut bonus for junior staff globally by 22.5% for 2020, in order to cope with the impact of coronavirus-induced slowdown and near-zero interest rates on business. The news was reported by South China Morning Post.
The cuts are being planned for the frontline and back office employees, who have a streamlined variable pay structure with grades 6 to 8. Notably, the article reported that top performers in this grade range will be entitled to a bonus of to about 2.3 times one month’s salary. This is a discretionary bonus paid out in February every year, based on the employee’s performance and behavior ratings.
Citing a memo seen by the Post, the lender is cutting back incentives due to a significant fall in profits as witnessed in the first three quarters of 2020. HSBC saw about 62% plunge in profits in the first nine months.
The decline in variable pay of only 22.5% “reflects the exceptional performance of staff in supporting customers and each other and helping to build the bank for the future,” the article quoted a spokeswoman. Also, she informed that total compensation for affected employees is mostly flat or slightly up from the previous year as a result.
Bonus Plans of Other Banks
Last month, plans of other Wall Street banks for 2020 bonuses also came into light.
Deutsche Bank
AG
is mulling to reward traders at its fixed income unit for a striking performance in the current year, despite the pandemic-related concerns. The bonuses are likely to be raised about 10%.
Bank of America
’s
BAC
, however, despite recording impressive performance at the sales and trading division during the year, is planning to keep 2020-end bonuses flat year over year.
Another Wall Street biggie
JPMorgan
JPM
plans to boost year-end compensation for its sales and trading division by up to 20%.
Our Take
HSBC’s efforts to streamline business are encouraging. Also, initiatives to improve market share in the U.K. and China are likely to support financials. However, the global economic slowdown, low interest rate environment across the globe and weak loan demand are likely to hamper revenue growth.
Shares of HSBC have rallied 19.3% over the past three months, outperforming the
industry
’s growth of 33.6%.
Currently, HSBC carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see
the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here
.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don’t buy now, you may kick yourself in 2021.
Click here for the 6 trades >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.
Click to get this free report