UK bank HSBC fell short of initial expectations with a 16 % rise in earnings for 2018 , and pointed to uncertainty around Brexit as a major contributing factor . The bank saw pre - tax profits hit $ 200 for the year , below analyst earnings of $ 21.3bn , following declines in fixed income revenues and a challenging Q4 . In comparison to Brexit , the report highlighted difficulties arising from the US - China trade war , as well as uncertainty in terms of future interest rates .
UK bank HSBC fell short of analyst expectations with a 16% rise in profits for 2018, and pointed to uncertainty around Brexit as a major contributing factor. The bank saw pre-tax profits hit $19.9bn for the year, below analyst forecasts of $21.3bn, following declines in fixed income revenues and a challenging Q4. In addition to Brexit, the bank highlighted difficulties arising from the US-China trade war, as well as uncertainty in terms of future interest rates.