It is how you say it ... as well

I was interested in the comparison of the HSBC quarterly results and Standard Chartered's results a few days ago.

HSBC produced far higher profits that Standard Chartered and did better than expected. Standard Chartered did not exceed the expectations but did produce higher growth, yet again, as they have done for the last few years.

But the content of the SCB message was really upbeat and optimistic. HSBC was not and was peppered with caveats and caution. SCB's share price rose nicely. HSBC's fell.