HONG KONG, April 30, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Banking giant HSBC said on Tuesday that pre-tax profits in the first quarter fell by $200 million to $12.7 billion.

"We completed the sale of our Canada business and agreed the sale of our Argentina business, both of which allow us to focus on markets with higher value international opportunities," said chief executive Noel Quinn, who the bank added would retire after nearly five years in the role.