[HONG KONG] HSBC Holdings PLC posted a five-fold rise in its pretax profit for the third quarter, as the bank expanded its market share in its key businesses in Asia, and helped by a lower comparative base in the year-ago quarter.

HSBC earlier this month chose veteran John Flint as its next chief executive, with its newly arrived chairman promoting an insider to drive revenue growth. Flint will take over as CEO in February next year.

The bank's reported pretax profit was US$4.6 billion in the September quarter, up from US$843 million in the same period a year ago, HSBC said in a stock exchange filing. The profit was roughly in-line with analyst estimates of US$4.7 billion.

The year-ago profit was significantly impacted by a one-off loss of US$1.7 billion from the sale of its Brazilian unit, and adverse foreign currency movements.

HSBC has been able to grow its revenue again following a period of wider restructuring after the 2008 global financial crisis, that included scaling back its empire and shifting its focus eastwards.

Reported pretax profit for Asia rose 10 per cent during the quarter to US$4 billion.

"Our international network continued to deliver strong growth ... and our pivot to Asia is driving higher returns and lending growth, particularly in Hong Kong," HSBC Group Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver said in the statement.

HSBC has been able to boost its capital buffer despite rolling out share buybacks, the latest of up to US$2 billion in July, and sustaining dividends, showing it is ahead on its turnaround strategy that includes expanding in Asia.

The bank makes more than half of its profits in Asia, and its regional pivot is centred around China's Pearl River Delta region with billions in investment commitments and plans to bolster its retail and wealth management business.

HSBC's common equity tier 1 ratio - a measure of financial strength - was 14.6 per cent at the end of September, slightly lower than 14.7 per cent at end-June this year, but in-line with analyst expectations.

The ratio is set to increase in the medium term, as the bank repatriates about US$8 billion stuck at its US subsidiary, following approval last year from the US Federal Reserve.

REUTERS