Shares of Hang Seng Bank (0011) fell just below 7 percent after the company disclosed that its net profit beat market expectations while declaring an unchanged interim dividend.

The bank reported a net profit of HK$18.38 billion in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 3 percent, versus the market estimate up to HK$17.68 billion, thanks to significant growth in non-interest income among diversified income sources.

It kept its interim dividend for the latter half of the year at HK$3.20 per share, the same as that for the corresponding period in 2023.

Total dividends for the year amounted to HK$6.80 per share, up nearly 5 percent.