MT Newswires -ShutterstockHSBC (HSBA.L) on Tuesday announced new plans to buy back up to $1 billion of its shares as it reported year-over-year growth in first-half profit. Net interest income amounted to $18.23 billion, up year over year from $16.82 billion, while net fee income rose to $7.28 billion from $6.64 billion. The bank said the increase in net interest income was primarily driven by deposit balance growth and the reinvestment of its structural hedge at higher yields. HSBC now expects banking net interest income of "at least" $46 billion for 2026, compared with previous guidance of "around" that figure, reflecting a continued favorable but volatile interest rate outlook. The board approved a second interim dividend of $0.10 per share, for a total expected distribution of $1.72 billion.