Standard Chartered lifted its 2026 income and return targets after third-quarter pretax profit climbed 27% year over year, with stronger fee and trading income supporting the quarter.
Pretax profit was $2.250 billion for the three months ended Sept. 30, compared with $1.766 billion a year earlier. Profit for the period rose 36% to $1.762 billion, according to the bank’s results.
For 2026, the bank expects operating-income growth to top 7% at constant currency, excluding notable items. It had previously forecast growth around the middle of a 5%-7% range. Its return on tangible equity (RoTE), a measure of profit relative to shareholder capital, is now expected to be around 14%, up from a prior target above 12%. The bank also raised its net interest income growth outlook to around 4% at constant currency, from low single digits.
Operating income reached $5.781 billion, up 13% on a reported basis and 14% at constant currency, excluding notable items. Adjusted net interest income totaled $2.966 billion, an 8% increase on a reported basis and 9% at constant currency. Adjusted non-interest income rose 19% to $2.815 billion.
Wealth Solutions brought in $1.118 billion, up 26%, extending its record run to three quarters. Global Markets income reached $1.014 billion, up 21% at constant currency.
CNA reported that pretax profit exceeded consensus expectations, which the news agency described as a forecast for 12% year-over-year growth. CNA also reported that Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong-listed shares rose 8% after the results.
Costs rose 9% at constant currency. The bank linked the increase to expansion of customer-facing teams and affluent offerings, as well as greater technology support and infrastructure needs. It also cited higher variable compensation. Credit impairment fell by $98 million from a year earlier to $90 million.
Group Chief Executive Bill Winters said the results gave the bank confidence to raise its 2026 income guidance. Standard Chartered’s calendar lists Feb. 19, 2027, for its full-year 2026 results announcement and says the date is provisional.
