{"text":[[{"start":9.5,"text":"Standard Chartered has put aside $190mn to hedge against potential risks from the US-Israeli war on Iran while maintaining its forward guidance, in one of the most tangible signs of the conflict’s impact on global financial institutions."}],[{"start":24.7,"text":"The Asia-focused bank said on Thursday it had made “precautionary management overlays” relating to its exposure to the region and to petrochemical companies and sovereign borrowers. It also raised its internal forecast of the probability of a “sustained Middle East conflict” to 70 per cent."}],[{"start":44.099999999999994,"text":"The decision came as the UK lender reported record quarterly pre-tax profits of $2.5bn, up 17 per cent year-on-year and just above company-compiled analyst forecasts. "}],[{"start":56.099999999999994,"text":"Shares rose 3.6 per cent in afternoon trading in Hong Kong. They have soared more than 70 per cent over the past 12 months, valuing the group at about £40bn."}],[{"start":67.39999999999999,"text":"Record operating income of $5.9bn was boosted by its wealth management division, where income rose by a third from the same period a year earlier to $1bn. The bank maintained its 2026 guidance of operating income growing at the bottom end of the 5-7 per cent range."}],[{"start":85.5,"text":"“Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainty, our advantaged market presence and disciplined risk management give us confidence in our ability to perform,” said chief executive Bill Winters."}],[{"start":99.1,"text":"The bank said prolonged fighting in the Middle East over the next three months could lead to crude oil prices peaking at almost $136 a barrel and lower Chinese GDP growth to 4 per cent annually over the next five years and US growth below 2 per cent."}],[{"start":116.94999999999999,"text":"Standard Chartered is in the final year of its “Fit for Growth” strategy, which aims to cut waste and find $1.5bn of savings by the end of this year. Pre-tax profits booked in Hong Kong now account for a third of the group’s total."}],[{"start":132.64999999999998,"text":"Analysts at Citi said the Middle East was 6 per cent of StanChart’s total loan exposure, of which more than 90 per cent was in the corporate and investment bank. Wealth exposure in the region is largely in the United Arab Emirates."}],[{"start":146.79999999999998,"text":"“A good set of results, with an impressive revenue print . . . albeit the weaker capital position takes the shine off,” they noted."}],[{"start":160.99999999999997,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1777544513_9108.mp3"}