Lates News

JPMorgan Chase issued a research report maintaining a positive view on Standard Chartered Group, pointing out that although Standard Chartered is involved in the 1MDB-related lawsuit in Malaysia, accused of allowing over 100 internal transfers to help hide stolen funds between 2009 and 2013, the lawsuit may take several years to resolve and is estimated to have limited impact on the group's distributions of over $8 billion between 2024 and 2026, as well as the $27.5 billion share buyback plan for 2025 fiscal year. In the worst-case scenario, JPMorgan Chase estimates fines could reach up to $2.7 billion, equivalent to 37% of the projected 2027 profit of $5.3 billion, and could drag the bank's 2027 Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio down by 72 basis points, within manageable range. The actual penalty amount is believed to be much lower than this. JPMorgan Chase continues to rank Standard Chartered as the top choice among Hong Kong bank stocks, believing the bank is less affected by HIBOR decline and risks in Hong Kong commercial real estate; benefits greatly from RMB internationalization; and has a clear strategy for developing digital assets, making it more resistant to stablecoin impact. The target price is 135 Hong Kong dollars with a "hold" rating.