Standard Chartered Shares Dip Amid Macro Uncertainty Despite Buyback Support
Standard Chartered PLC shares fell nearly 2% in London trading as investors locked in gains and recalibrated risk appetite against a backdrop of renewed global macroeconomic uncertainty. The bank reiterated its 2025 income growth and profitability targets but noted a moderation in fourth-quarter momentum.
Ongoing share buybacks provided a floor for valuation, yet broader market caution prevailed. Attention now turns to U.S. labor data and rate expectations, which could dictate near-term sentiment for UK banking stocks.
The pullback interrupts a rally that recently propelled the stock to a 52-week high, underscoring heightened sensitivity to external risks even as fundamental metrics remain robust. The decline mirrored a broader softening across UK banking peers, with traders adopting a defensive stance ahead of critical economic data.
