Shareholders reading the article with the heading “HSBC Malta pleased with performance although profits drop 25 per cent’” (ToM, 2 August) weren’t exactly pleased either with HSBC or with The Times report, which seemed to be rubbing salt into the wound. On the other hand, I found your header “HSBC Malta cites ‘difficult’ half-year as profits dip 25.32 per cent” more factual and conveyed the proper sentiment.

Viewing the meeting addressed by HSBC CEO on the media when the above was announced, one could see several empty chairs. Understandably, given the decrease in profits HSBC might not exactly relish renting a larger hall to accommodate all the shareholders who might wish to attend, but offering the possibility to be present and ask questions to those who regularly put questions from the floor at shareholders’ meetings would not have been amiss. Or do listed firms even fear a few questions from laymen about the way they manage or not?

Guz Bonnett

MARSALFORN