HSBC may be the force behind new FTSE rally

THE blue-chip index will be looking to push to 19-month highs this week, powered by results from Britain's biggest banker HSBC, among a slew of others.

HSBC, the world's second-largest bank, is expected to report a 33% jump in pre-tax profit to around $12.906 billion, boosted by the inclusion of its biggest takeover, US consumer finance group Household International.

“HSBC could really get the market going,” said Mike Lenhoff, chief strategist at private client money manager Brewin Dolphin.