what to watch before London opens
LONDON, Feb 1, 2026, 17:00 GMT — The market has closed.
- HSBC stock closed last week close to its recent high, buoyed by a surge in UK bank shares heading into month-end.
- The Bank of England’s upcoming decision and volatility in sterling have returned to the spotlight for the sector.
- HSBC’s drive to secure more Hong Kong IPO mandates is running into increased scrutiny of listing sponsors.
Shares of HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L) climbed 1.2% on Friday, finishing at 1,285.4 pence (12.85 pounds), just shy of their 52-week peak. The stock fluctuated between 1,271.4 and 1,285.6 pence during the session, with trading volume reaching roughly 22.6 million shares. (Investing)
The late-week jump is significant since…
