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HSBC vs SAN
Which Stock Would AI Choose? HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC) vs. Banco Santander, S.A. (SAN) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both HSBC and SAN maintain strong capital positions with CET1 (Common Equity Tier 1) ratios near 14.5%, supporting resilience in volatile markets.
- SAN delivered record Q1 2026 underlying profit of €3.56 billion, up 12% year-over-year, with RoTCE (Return on Tangible Common Equity) at 15.2%.
- HSBC boasts superior YTD returns of 19.25% as of early May 2026, outpacing SAN's 1.94% amid recent market activity.
- SAN shows stronger one-year performance at over 73%, reflecting robust growth in fees and net interest income (NII).
- Analyst consensus leans toward moderate buy for both, with HSBC hitting near-record highs in recent weeks.
- Recent earnings momentum favors SAN, while HSBC benefits from Asia exposure.
Introduction
This stock comparison between HSBC Holdings plc and Banco Santander, S.A. (SAN) highlights two leading global banks navigating interest rate shifts, geopolitical tensions, and economic recovery. Both offer diversified revenue from retail banking, wealth management, and corporate services, appealing to value-oriented investors seeking dividend yields and capital returns. Traders may find value in their relative performance amid recent earnings cycles and sector rotation toward financials. Understanding their business models, recent momentum, and risk profiles aids in assessing market positioning for short- and long-term strategies.
HSBC Overview and Recent Performance
HSBC Holdings plc, headquartered in London, operates as one of the world's largest banks with significant exposure to Asia, where it generates over half its revenue. In recent market activity, HSBC shares reached all-time highs near $94 before consolidating around $90 on the NYSE, driven by its 2025 annual results that beat profit estimates and prompted raised targets. Year-to-date gains stand at 19.25%, outperforming broader indices, bolstered by a CET1 ratio of 14.9% and RoTE of 13.3% (17.2% excluding notables). Sentiment has been positive on wealth management growth and buybacks, though Q1 2026 results due May 5 introduce near-term uncertainty. Higher NII from sustained rates has supported stability, tempered by provisions in some markets.
SAN Overview and Recent Performance
Banco Santander, S.A. (SAN), based in Spain, focuses on Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., emphasizing digital transformation and customer growth. Shares trade around $12 on the NYSE, with one-year returns exceeding 73% amid broader recovery, though YTD at 1.94% reflects consolidation. Recent weeks saw uplift from record Q1 2026 underlying profit of €3.56 billion (+12% YoY), revenue up 6% to €15.14 billion, and RoTCE at 15.2%, with CET1 rising to a high of 14.4%. Fee income grew 7%, offsetting softer NII in parts of Europe. Strong capital generation and 8 million new customers enhanced sentiment, positioning SAN for shareholder returns via buybacks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
HSBC and SAN share global banking models but diverge in geography: HSBC leverages Asia's growth for higher NII potential, while SAN diversifies via Latin America and U.S. consumer lending. Recent momentum favors SAN's Q1 beat and customer expansion, contrasting HSBC's pending results. Risk factors include HSBC's China exposure versus SAN's European regulatory pressures. Sector-wise, both benefit from rate environments, but SAN edges in RoTCE and long-term returns, while HSBC leads YTD. Market sentiment tilts positive for capital returns at both.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors SAN for its trend consistency post-record Q1 profits, superior RoTCE, and strengthening CET1 amid positive fee growth. HSBC remains compelling with YTD outperformance and Asia catalysts, but relative positioning leans toward SAN probabilistically in the near term based on observable stability and momentum.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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 StrongBuy and SAN is a Buy.
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 undervalued. 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 3 FA rating(s) are green whileSAN’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- HSBC’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- SAN’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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while SAN’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HSBC’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
- SAN’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 2 bearish.
Price Growth
HSBC (@Major Banks) experienced а +2.06% price change this week, while SAN (@Major Banks) price change was +5.93% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Major Banks industry was +3.43%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +8.48%, and the average quarterly price growth was +16.81%.
Reported Earning Dates
HSBC is expected to report earnings on Aug 04, 2026.
SAN is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Major Banks (+3.43% 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.
| HSBC | SAN | HSBC / SAN | |
| Capitalization | 316B | 183B | 173% |
| EBITDA | N/A | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 21.784 | 11.062 | 197% |
| P/E Ratio | 15.32 | 12.62 | 121% |
| Revenue | 67.6B | 60.5B | 112% |
| Total Cash | 243B | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 102B | 329B | 31% |
HSBC | SAN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 86 | 19 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 41 Fair valued | 72 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 4 | 7 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 4 | 4 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 42 | 42 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 24 | 21 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 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 (41) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as SAN (72). This means that HSBC’s stock grew similarly to SAN’s over the last 12 months.
HSBC's Profit vs Risk Rating (4) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as SAN (7). This means that HSBC’s stock grew similarly to SAN’s over the last 12 months.
HSBC's SMR Rating (4) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as SAN (4). This means that HSBC’s stock grew similarly to SAN’s over the last 12 months.
HSBC's Price Growth Rating (42) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as SAN (42). This means that HSBC’s stock grew similarly to SAN’s over the last 12 months.
SAN's P/E Growth Rating (21) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as HSBC (24). This means that SAN’s stock grew similarly to HSBC’s over the last 12 months.
| HSBC | SAN | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 73% | 3 days ago 78% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 43% | 3 days ago 73% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 39% | 3 days ago 64% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 73% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 71% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 67% | 3 days ago 72% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 52% | 24 days ago 56% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 71% | 3 days ago 60% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 69% | 3 days ago 74% |
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SAN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, SAN has been closely correlated with BBVA. These tickers have moved in lockstep 77% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if SAN jumps, then BBVA could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To SAN | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAN | 100% | +2.47% | ||
| BBVA - SAN | 77% Closely correlated | +0.82% | ||
| ING - SAN | 74% Closely correlated | +1.79% | ||
| BCS - SAN | 72% Closely correlated | +2.91% | ||
| HSBC - SAN | 72% Closely correlated | +2.15% | ||
| UBS - SAN | 60% Loosely correlated | +1.62% | ||
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