HSBC launched a $3 billion share buyback after reporting a 25% fall in first-quarter profit on Tuesday, and warned of a possible hit to loan demand and credit quality in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's global trade war.

The London-based bank announced a share buyback of up to $3 billion as it reported a drop in first-quarter net profit.

HSBC says in a worst-case scenario, it could book an additional bad debt provision to guard against a potential global economic slowdown HSBC, Hong Kong's biggest lender, unveiled a fresh US$3 billion share-repurchase programme after its first-quarter earnings beat analysts' estimates,