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HSBC vs ING
Which Stock Would AI Choose? HSBC Holdings (HSBC) vs. ING Groep (ING) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- HSBC is a globally diversified bank with an Asia-led franchise, while ING is a European-focused digital bank concentrated in the Benelux region and Germany.
- Both lenders recently reported solid full-year results and upgraded medium-term profitability targets, reflecting resilient net interest income (NII) and strong fee growth.
- HSBC posted an underlying profit beat and guided to a 17% or better return on tangible equity (ROTE, a measure of profit relative to the bank's tangible capital), while ING delivered a third consecutive year of record income.
- HSBC carries a higher common equity tier 1 (CET1, a key gauge of financial resilience) ratio near 14.9%, whereas ING's CET1 sits around 13.1%, reflecting different capital-return strategies.
- ING has prioritized share buybacks and dividends, while HSBC has temporarily paused buybacks to rebuild capital after acquiring the remaining stake in Hang Seng Bank.
- For additional context on each name, explore HSBC Major News and HSBC Today's Price Move, as well as ING Major News and ING Today's Price Move.
- To see how automated strategies are currently positioning across the market, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
HSBC Holdings and ING Groep are two of Europe's most closely followed banking groups, yet they operate with distinctly different geographic footprints and business models. HSBC derives much of its earnings from Asia and wealth management, while ING is a largely branch-light digital lender anchored in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. This stock comparison is relevant for investors seeking exposure to global financials, income-focused shareholders evaluating dividend and buyback policies, and traders monitoring relative performance and momentum between two large-cap banks. By examining recent results, growth drivers, risk factors, and market positioning side by side, readers can better assess how these institutions are navigating the current interest-rate and macroeconomic environment.
HSBC Overview and Recent Performance
HSBC Holdings is a London-headquartered, globally diversified bank serving roughly 40 million customers across wealth, commercial, and institutional banking. Its franchise is heavily weighted toward Asia, particularly Hong Kong and mainland China, which differentiates it from most European peers. In recent weeks, HSBC reported fourth-quarter and full-year results that exceeded consensus expectations, driven by stronger banking net interest income (NII) and rising wealth fees. Underlying profit before tax rose about 17% year over year, while credit impairments declined significantly.
Management raised its medium-term ambitions, targeting a return on tangible equity (ROTE) of 17% or better for each year from 2026 through 2028, alongside a 2026 banking NII guide of at least $45 billion. The bank also announced a higher dividend, though share buybacks remain paused as it rebuilds capital following the acquisition of the minority stake in Hang Seng Bank. A CET1 ratio near 14.9% underscores strong balance-sheet resilience. Sentiment has been supported by ongoing restructuring, including exits from Canada and Argentina and the sale of French retail banking, as HSBC simplifies toward higher-growth, fee-based businesses.
ING Overview and Recent Performance
ING Groep is a European digital bank with a strong base in the Benelux countries and a sizable franchise in Germany. It operates a largely branch-light, technology-driven model that has made customer acquisition and mobile engagement central to its strategy. In recent market activity, ING reported its third consecutive year of record total income, reaching roughly €23 billion for full-year 2025, while fee income grew about 15% and now represents around 20% of total income.
The bank posted a return on equity (ROE, a measure of net profit relative to shareholder equity) of about 13.2%, ahead of its prior outlook, and maintained a CET1 ratio near 13.1%. ING upgraded its guidance, targeting total income of approximately €24 billion in 2026 and more than €25 billion in 2027, with ROE expected to rise toward the mid-teens. Shareholder returns remain a focus, including a completed and ongoing buyback program and a proposed final dividend. Customer lending and deposits both expanded, supported by mortgage and wholesale lending demand, even as management flagged elevated risk costs and cost-inflation pressures in certain quarters.
Trending AI Robots
For investors who prefer a systematic approach to market positioning, Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page curates a focused selection from a much larger universe of automated strategies. Tickeron hosts hundreds of AI trading bots spanning thousands of tickers, each with its own trading style, timeframe, strategy, performance history, and set of securities. Rather than showcasing every bot, the Trending AI Robots section highlights only those judged best suited to current market conditions, with a shortlist of roughly 21 top performers selected out of more than 320 available bots. The displayed robots include metrics such as realized return, win rate, profit factor, and drawdown ratios across various sectors. Because each bot is tailored to different market regimes, the page offers a way to observe how automation is currently reading momentum and trend. Explore Trending AI Robots to review the current selection.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast between HSBC and ING is geographic and strategic exposure. HSBC's earnings skew toward Asia and global wealth, while ING is anchored in mature Northern European retail and wholesale banking. This difference shapes their growth drivers: HSBC leans on wealth-management fees and Asian deposit spreads, whereas ING emphasizes digital customer growth, fee diversification, and steady lending expansion in Europe.
On capital and returns, HSBC holds a higher CET1 buffer and targets a higher ROTE, but has paused buybacks to fund the Hang Seng consolidation. ING runs a lower CET1 ratio with a more active, ongoing capital-return program. From a momentum perspective, HSBC's shares reached recent multi-year or record highs after strong results and upgraded guidance, while ING's stock has delivered substantial appreciation over the trailing year, supported by record income and an improved outlook. Risk factors also differ: HSBC faces exposure to Asian real-estate and trade-related uncertainty, while ING contends with European macroeconomic softness, liability-margin pressure, and restructuring costs. In short, HSBC offers a broader global and wealth-growth narrative, while ING presents a focused European digital-banking and capital-return story.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, stability, catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely favor HSBC in the current environment. The bank's underlying earnings beat, higher CET1 buffer, upgraded multi-year ROTE target, and elevated revenue guidance suggest more durable fundamental momentum, while its recent price action reaching new highs indicates sustained trend strength. ING remains a well-capitalized operator with a compelling digital franchise and record income, but its comparatively higher risk costs and more regionally concentrated exposure introduce greater variability. This assessment is probabilistic rather than definitive and may shift as market conditions evolve.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is HSBC is a Hold and ING is a Hold.
HSBC in downward trend: price dove below 50-day moving average on September 22, 2026
HSBC moved below its 50-day moving average on September 22, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 20 of 37 similar past instances, the stock price decreased further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 54%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 22, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on HSBC as a result. In 36 of 85 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 42%.
The 10-day moving average for HSBC crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 22, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 5 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 33%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where HSBC declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 47%.
The Aroon Indicator for HSBC entered a downward trend on October 27, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator entered the oversold zone -- be on the watch for HSBC's price rising or consolidating in the future. That's also the time to consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 3 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a +0.70% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where HSBC advanced for three days, in 251 of 372 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
HSBC may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 3 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 7 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 21, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 44 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 56 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. HSBC’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 79 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.496) is normal, around the industry mean (1.515). P/E Ratio (12.200) is within average values for comparable stocks, (11.735). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.887) is also within normal values, averaging (2.139). Dividend Yield (0.023) settles around the average of (0.035) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (4.724) is also within normal values, averaging (3.867).
ING sees its Stochastic Oscillator recovers from oversold territory
On October 27, 2026, the Stochastic Oscillator for ING moved out of oversold territory and this could be a bullish sign for the stock. Traders may want to buy the stock or buy call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 52 instances where the indicator left the oversold zone. In 42 of the 52 cases the stock moved higher in the following days. This puts the odds of a move higher at over 81%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where ING's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 17 of 23 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 74%.
Following a +2.29% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ING advanced for three days, in 253 of 365 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 69%.
ING may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
ING moved below its 50-day moving average on October 01, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for ING crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 06, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 7 of 13 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 54%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ING declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 52%.
The Aroon Indicator for ING entered a downward trend on October 27, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 4 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 5 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 21, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 14 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 49 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. ING’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 75 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 79 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.846) is normal, around the industry mean (1.515). P/E Ratio (14.100) is within average values for comparable stocks, (11.735). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.140) is also within normal values, averaging (2.139). Dividend Yield (0.051) settles around the average of (0.035) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.874) is also within normal values, averaging (3.867).
HSBC | ING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 13 | 8 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 79 Overvalued | 79 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 7 | 5 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 3 | 4 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 56 | 49 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 44 | 14 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
HSBC's Valuation (79) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as ING (79) in the Financial Conglomerates industry. This means that HSBC’s stock grew similarly to ING’s over the last 12 months.
ING's Profit vs Risk Rating (5) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is in the same range as HSBC (7) in the Major Banks industry. This means that ING’s stock grew similarly to HSBC’s over the last 12 months.
HSBC's SMR Rating (3) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as ING (4) in the Financial Conglomerates industry. This means that HSBC’s stock grew similarly to ING’s over the last 12 months.
ING's Price Growth Rating (49) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is in the same range as HSBC (56) in the Major Banks industry. This means that ING’s stock grew similarly to HSBC’s over the last 12 months.
ING's P/E Growth Rating (14) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is in the same range as HSBC (44) in the Major Banks industry. This means that ING’s stock grew similarly to HSBC’s over the last 12 months.
| HSBC | ING | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 86% | 1 day ago 74% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 69% | 1 day ago 81% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 42% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 52% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 42% | 1 day ago 51% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 67% | 1 day ago 69% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 47% | 6 days ago 52% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 59% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 39% | 1 day ago 47% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
HSBC’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green while ING’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- HSBC’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- ING’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
HSBC’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ING’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HSBC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- ING’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
HSBC (@Major Banks) experienced а -7.26% price change this week, while ING (@Major Banks) price change was -1.18% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Major Banks industry was +0.35%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -4.68%, and the average quarterly price growth was +8.61%.
Reported Earning Dates
HSBC is expected to report earnings on Feb 23, 2027.
ING is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Major Banks (+0.35% weekly)Major banks are among the biggest companies in the world, often times with global reach and market capitalizations in the multi-billions. Large banks often have multiple arms spanning different disciplines, from deposits, to investment banking, to wealth management and insurance. The biggest banks often have key competitive advantages over smaller players in the industry in terms of brand recognition, cost of capital, and efficiency. Think J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup.
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