Blow to HSBC as banking giant misses first quarter profit forecasts

HSBC has missed first-quarter profit forecasts after bad debt provisions jumped by half.  The UK-based banking giant reported pre-tax profits of £6.96billion, down from £7billion a year earlier.  It was driven by a big jump in expected credit losses, which rose 50 per cent to £960million.  The figures add to concerns over private credit risks after rival UK...