Image: HSBCHSBC has reported a 32% rise in profits for the third quarter as a result of fewer fines and cost-cutting measures.
The banking giant posted a profit of $6.1 billion (£3.9bn), beating forecasts of $5.2bn and last year's total of $4.6bn.
In June, HSBC announced thousands of job cuts and has been embarking on a programme of selling its loss-making businesses.
The cost-cutting measures were all the more important, as revenues dropped 4% to $14bn.
HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver said: "Our cost-reduction measures are beginning to have an impact on our cost base.
"There is more to achieve on costs and we expect the measures we have already taken to have a further impact in the fourth quarter."
Mr Gulliver added: "Despite slowing growth in the mainland Chinese economy and market volatility in Asia, there has been no visible impact on our Asian credit quality."
