SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Standard Chartered on Friday reported first-half pre-tax profit rose 19%, in line with market expectations, as the emerging markets-focused lender benefited from rising interest rates.
Statutory pretax profit for the lender, which earns most of its revenue in Asia, increased to $2.8 billion in the first half of the year from $2.35 billion in the same period a year earlier.
The bank also announced a share buyback of $500 million.
(Reporting by Anshuman Daga and Lawrence White; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
