HSBC (HSBC) 20-F 2017 FY Annual report (foreign)

Exhibit 7.1

Computation of ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges (and preference share dividends)

For the purpose of calculating the ratios, earnings consist of income from continuing operations before taxation and non-controlling interests, plus fixed charges, and after deduction of the unremitted pre-tax income of associated undertakings. Fixed charges consist of total interest expense, including or excluding interest on deposits, as appropriate, dividends on preference shares and other equity instruments, as applicable, and the proportion of rental expense deemed representative of the interest factor.

		2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
	Footnotes	$m		$m		$m		$m		$m
Profit before tax		17,167		7,112		18,867		18,680		22,565
– dividends received from associates		740		751		879		757		694
– share of profit in associates and joint ventures		(2,375	)	(2,354	)	(2,556	)	(2,532	)	(2,325	)
Fixed charges		15,594		15,063		17,250		19,667		19,238
– interest on deposits		6,790		8,127		10,846		12,581		11,874
– rental expense and other charges	1	8,804		6,936		6,404		7,086		7,364
Earnings	2
– excluding interest on deposits		24,336		12,445		23,594		23,991		28,298
– including interest on deposits		31,126		20,572		34,440		36,572		40,172
Preference share dividends	3	2,054		2,563		1,334		728		726
Combined fixed charges and preference share dividends
– excluding interest on deposits		10,858		9,499		7,738		7,814		8,090
– including interest on deposits		17,648		17,626		18,584		20,395		19,964

1 Includes an estimate of the interest in rental expense, charges incurred in respect of subordinated liabilities and interest on preference shares.

2 Includes profit before tax, dividends received from associates and fixed charges, less share of profit in associates and joint ventures.

3 Dividends on preference shares and other equity instruments.