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UK Regulators Allow Banks to Resume Shareholder Distribution
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In a welcome news for U.K. bank shareholders, regulators have permitted resumption of shareholder distribution. Thus, six major banks — HSBC Holdings (HSBC - Free Report) , Barclays (BCS - Free Report) , Lloyds Banking Group (LYG - Free Report) , NatWest (NWG - Free Report) , Santander UK and Standard Chartered (SCBFF - Free Report) — are expected announce the same early next year.
It is to be noted that distributions were suspended in March after the Prudential Regulatory Authority (“PRA”) asked banks to cancel the same. In aggregate, these banks were supposed to pay nearly £8 billion ($9.3 billion) as 2019 dividends, with HSBC being the biggest payer at £4.2 billion.
Further, the PRA had ordered banks to pause dividend payments for this year as well and temporarily suspended buybacks. The move was taken to preserve liquidity against unexpected losses from economic slowdown owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bank of England said that the suspension helped banks to strengthen their balance sheet. Banks’ capital ratios improved in the first half of 2020 despite being hit by £18 billion ($24 billion) of impairment charges.
What Changed?
The PRA conducted two stress tests of banks’ capital position and revealed that they “are resilient to a wide range of economic outcomes, including economic scenarios that are materially more severe than current central expectations.”
Based on these assumptions, the PRA found that banks are well capitalized and will be able to support the economy amid high level of “economic uncertainty as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.” Further, the regulator took into account of other factors like continued “economic disruption” and government support to economy still in place. Also, ambiguity over Brexit on banks’ financials remains a major headwind.
Nonetheless, the PRA decided that “an extension of the exceptional and precautionary action taken in March is not necessary” and banks can restart some distributions with the approval of board of directors, “within an appropriately prudent framework.”
“Framework” to Decide Appropriate Payout
The regulator stated that “Any distributions should be prudent, reflecting the still elevated levels of economic uncertainty and the need for banks to continue to support households and businesses through the continuing economic disruption, even in the event that this disruption is more prolonged and severe than currently anticipated.”
Banks have been asked to make their 2020 shareholder distribution with the “framework” presented by the PRA. Banks will have to limit their distributions to either 0.20% of risk-weighted assets as at 2020-end or 25% of combined profits for 2019 and 2020 (excluding prior shareholder distributions over that period), whichever is highest.
Bank Reactions
A spokeswoman for Standard Chartered said, “We welcome this decision by the PRA. The board will consider resuming shareholder returns on 25 February 2021 when we release our full-year 2020 results.”
“Decisions on dividends will be taken by the board at the year-end,” a spokeswoman for NatWest commented.
Spokespersons for Barclays and HSBC didn’t comment on this development.
Our Take
Given the favorable developments related to coronavirus vaccine and resumption of normal business activities, the economy is expected to gradually recover. This is likely to support banks’ financials.
Also, banks are taking several restructuring measures like branch consolidation and technology upgrades to digitize operations, which are expected to improve operational efficiency and save costs. With the resumption of shareholder distribution, banks will be able to enhance shareholder value.
Shares of these banks have plunged to record lows amid the coronavirus concerns and suspension of distribution. So far this year, shares of HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest and Standard Chartered have tanked 31.5%, 20.7%, 43.3%, 33.4% and 34.8%, respectively. Over the same time frame, industry has lost 15.4%.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $17.7 billion in 2019 to a staggering $73.6 billion by 2027. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
Image: Bigstock
UK Regulators Allow Banks to Resume Shareholder Distribution
In a welcome news for U.K. bank shareholders, regulators have permitted resumption of shareholder distribution. Thus, six major banks — HSBC Holdings (HSBC - Free Report) , Barclays (BCS - Free Report) , Lloyds Banking Group (LYG - Free Report) , NatWest (NWG - Free Report) , Santander UK and Standard Chartered (SCBFF - Free Report) — are expected announce the same early next year.
It is to be noted that distributions were suspended in March after the Prudential Regulatory Authority (“PRA”) asked banks to cancel the same. In aggregate, these banks were supposed to pay nearly £8 billion ($9.3 billion) as 2019 dividends, with HSBC being the biggest payer at £4.2 billion.
Further, the PRA had ordered banks to pause dividend payments for this year as well and temporarily suspended buybacks. The move was taken to preserve liquidity against unexpected losses from economic slowdown owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bank of England said that the suspension helped banks to strengthen their balance sheet. Banks’ capital ratios improved in the first half of 2020 despite being hit by £18 billion ($24 billion) of impairment charges.
What Changed?
The PRA conducted two stress tests of banks’ capital position and revealed that they “are resilient to a wide range of economic outcomes, including economic scenarios that are materially more severe than current central expectations.”
Based on these assumptions, the PRA found that banks are well capitalized and will be able to support the economy amid high level of “economic uncertainty as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.” Further, the regulator took into account of other factors like continued “economic disruption” and government support to economy still in place. Also, ambiguity over Brexit on banks’ financials remains a major headwind.
Nonetheless, the PRA decided that “an extension of the exceptional and precautionary action taken in March is not necessary” and banks can restart some distributions with the approval of board of directors, “within an appropriately prudent framework.”
“Framework” to Decide Appropriate Payout
The regulator stated that “Any distributions should be prudent, reflecting the still elevated levels of economic uncertainty and the need for banks to continue to support households and businesses through the continuing economic disruption, even in the event that this disruption is more prolonged and severe than currently anticipated.”
Banks have been asked to make their 2020 shareholder distribution with the “framework” presented by the PRA. Banks will have to limit their distributions to either 0.20% of risk-weighted assets as at 2020-end or 25% of combined profits for 2019 and 2020 (excluding prior shareholder distributions over that period), whichever is highest.
Bank Reactions
A spokeswoman for Standard Chartered said, “We welcome this decision by the PRA. The board will consider resuming shareholder returns on 25 February 2021 when we release our full-year 2020 results.”
“Decisions on dividends will be taken by the board at the year-end,” a spokeswoman for NatWest commented.
Spokespersons for Barclays and HSBC didn’t comment on this development.
Our Take
Given the favorable developments related to coronavirus vaccine and resumption of normal business activities, the economy is expected to gradually recover. This is likely to support banks’ financials.
Also, banks are taking several restructuring measures like branch consolidation and technology upgrades to digitize operations, which are expected to improve operational efficiency and save costs. With the resumption of shareholder distribution, banks will be able to enhance shareholder value.
Shares of these banks have plunged to record lows amid the coronavirus concerns and suspension of distribution. So far this year, shares of HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest and Standard Chartered have tanked 31.5%, 20.7%, 43.3%, 33.4% and 34.8%, respectively. Over the same time frame, industry has lost 15.4%.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $17.7 billion in 2019 to a staggering $73.6 billion by 2027. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot stocks we're targeting >>