HSBC shares hit 25-year low on reported 'unreliable list' inclusion

Worries over bank's future in China add to concerns about souring loans

HSBC Holdings was forced to suspend its dividend as U.K. regulators ordered the country's biggest banks to cancel such payouts and bolster capital to face the impact from the pandemic. © Reuters

NARAYANAN SOMASUNDARAM, Nikkei Asian Review chief banking and financial correspondent

September 21, 2020 15:26 JST

Updated on September 21, 2020 17:39 JST

HONG KONG -- HSBC Holdings shares slumped to a 25-year low in Hong Kong on Monday after a weekend of negative press reports related to the London-based bank which was already under investors pressure due to its suspension of dividend payments and worries about souring loans.

HSBC closed down 5.3% in Hong Kong at HK$29.30, the shares' lowest level since 1995. The stock has lost half of its value this year and is the second-worst performer among the world's 10 largest banks, as measured by financial intelligence company The Banker using 2019 data for Tier 1 capital.