Hong Kong stock exchange posts record half-yearly profit

Hong Kong’s stock exchange, HKEX, announced record profits for the six months ending June, driven by an influx of technology and artificial intelligence companies issuing initial public offerings (IPOs). Exchange Square in Central, Hong Kong. The operator attributed the 94% year-on-year increase to robust market sentiment, strong fundraising demand, and active participation from Chinese Mainland and international investors.

HKEX welcomed 87 new IPO listings, raising a total of HK$212.4 billion (US$27 billion), with core revenue rising 19% to HK$15.5 billion. CEO Bonnie Chan emphasized the company's resilience and relevance amid macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts, stating that trading activity across cash, derivatives, and Stock Connect markets hit record highs.

Chairman Carlson Tong noted that the firm entered 2026 with strategic progress, appealing to global investors seeking long-term capital allocation in Asia, including China. Notable Chinese AI company Zhongji InnoLight raised over US$6.8 billion in its IPO, marking the city’s biggest public offering in seven years. Overall, Hong Kong’s IPO market reached a record HK$210 billion for the first half of the year, the strongest result in five years.