Core Viewpoint - Bank of America reports that Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (00388) achieved a net profit of 13.4 billion HKD in the first nine months of the year, representing a 45% year-on-year increase, surpassing the bank's expectation of 39% [1] Financial Performance - The net profit for the third quarter reached 4.9 billion HKD, marking a 56% year-on-year growth and setting a historical record [1] - The bank has raised its profit forecasts for Hong Kong Exchanges for the fiscal years 2025 to 2027 by 3% due to anticipated increases in fee income [1] Target Price and Rating - The target price for Hong Kong Exchanges remains unchanged at 520 HKD, with a reiterated "Buy" rating [1] Growth Projections - Expected line growth for 2026 to 2027 is projected at 8%, which is lower than the 28% forecast for the fiscal year 2025 [1] - The bank notes that further increasing market trading volume from the current level of 150% is challenging, indicating that unless overall market capitalization rises, trading volume alone will not be sufficient to drive revenue for Hong Kong Exchanges [1] Growth Drivers - The primary growth driver is anticipated to come from derivatives, including the expansion of the current weekly stock options [1] - Hong Kong Exchanges has recently begun to cover more stocks and zero-day options to attract new investment interest [1]

Market Overview - The total market capitalization of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange reached HKD 48.1 trillion by the end of October 2025, a 37% increase from HKD 35.2 trillion in the same period last year [1] - The average daily trading amount in October 2025 was HKD 274.9 billion, up 8% from HKD 255 billion in October 2024 [1] - The average daily trading amount for the first ten months of 2025 was HKD 258.2 billion, a significant increase of 102% compared to HKD 127.8 billion in the same period last year [1] Derivative Products Market - The average daily trading volume of futures and options for the first ten months of 2025 was 1,696,752 contracts, a 7% increase from 1,582,570 contracts in the same period last year [2] - The average daily trading volume of stock index futures was 568,701 contracts during the first ten months of 2025 [2] Stock Options and Futures - The average daily trading volume of stock index options was 115,461 contracts for the first ten months of 2025 [3] - The average daily trading volume of stock options increased by 22% to 896,891 contracts compared to 733,117 contracts in the same period last year [3] - The average daily trading volume of stock futures was 8,538 contracts for the first ten months of 2025 [4] Currency Futures - The average daily trading volume of Renminbi currency futures increased by 20% to 107,126 contracts compared to 89,600 contracts in the same period last year [4] Historical Records - On October 2, 2025, the weekly stock options trading volume reached a historical high of 312,545 contracts [4] - On October 27, 2025, the trading volume of Hang Seng Tech Index futures options hit a historical high of 64,982 contracts [5] IPO and Fundraising - There were 81 new listings in the first ten months of 2025, a 50% increase from 54 new listings in the same period last year [1] - The total amount raised through initial public offerings (IPOs) in the first ten months of 2025 was HKD 216 billion, a 209% increase from HKD 70 billion in the same period last year [1] - The total fundraising amount for the first ten months of 2025 reached HKD 507 billion, up 228% from HKD 154.8 billion in the same period last year [1]

Core Insights - The total market capitalization of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) reached HKD 48.1 trillion by the end of October 2025, representing a 37% increase compared to HKD 35.2 trillion in the same period last year [1] - The average daily trading volume for October 2025 was HKD 2,749 billion, an 8% increase from HKD 2,550 billion in October 2024 [1] - The average daily trading volume for the first ten months of 2025 was HKD 2,582 billion, a significant 102% increase from HKD 1,278 billion in the same period last year [2] Trading Activity - The average daily trading volume for derivative warrants in the first ten months of 2025 was HKD 80 billion, up 60% from HKD 50 billion in the previous year [2] - The average daily trading volume for bull and bear certificates was HKD 104 billion, a 60% increase from HKD 65 billion year-on-year [2] - The average daily trading volume for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) was HKD 343 billion, reflecting a 127% increase from HKD 151 billion in the same period last year [2] New Listings and Fundraising - There were 81 new listings in the first ten months of 2025, a 50% increase compared to 54 new listings in the same period last year [2] - The total amount raised through initial public offerings (IPOs) was HKD 2,160 billion, a remarkable 209% increase from HKD 700 billion year-on-year [2] - The total fundraising amount for the first ten months of 2025 reached HKD 5,070 billion, up 228% from HKD 1,548 billion in the previous year [3] Derivative Market Performance - The average daily trading volume for futures and options in the first ten months of 2025 was 1,696,752 contracts, a 7% increase from 1,582,570 contracts in the same period last year [4] - The average daily trading volume for stock index futures was 568,701 contracts [5] - The average daily trading volume for stock options was 896,891 contracts, up 22% from 733,117 contracts year-on-year [6] Historical Records - On October 2, 2025, the weekly trading volume for stock options reached a historical high of 312,545 contracts [7] - On October 27, 2025, the trading volume for Hang Seng Tech Index futures options hit a record high of 64,982 contracts [8]

Market Performance - The Hang Seng Index rose by 550.49 points, an increase of 2.12%, closing at 26,485.9 points [1] - The H-share Index increased by 192.73 points, closing at 9,355.97 points, with a rise of 2.1% [1] - The Hang Seng Tech Index gained 158.37 points, closing at 5,944.22 points, reflecting a growth of 2.74% [1] Trading Volume - The total trading volume on the main board reached HKD 234.653 billion [1] Blue-chip Stocks - Tencent Holdings rose by 2.38%, closing at HKD 644 [1] - Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing increased by 2.22%, closing at HKD 433 [1] - China Mobile saw a rise of 0.58%, closing at HKD 87.15 [1] - HSBC Holdings increased by 3.05%, closing at HKD 110.7 [1] Local Hong Kong Stocks - Cheung Kong Holdings rose by 0.3%, closing at HKD 39.64 [1] - Sun Hung Kai Properties increased by 0.72%, closing at HKD 97.55 [1] - Henderson Land Development rose by 0.71%, closing at HKD 28.24 [1] Chinese Financial Stocks - Bank of China rose by 0.88%, closing at HKD 4.57 [1] - China Construction Bank increased by 1.5%, closing at HKD 8.14 [1] - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China rose by 0.96%, closing at HKD 6.31 [1] - Ping An Insurance saw an increase of 3.11%, closing at HKD 58 [1] - China Life Insurance rose by 4.86%, closing at HKD 25.9 [1] Oil and Petrochemical Stocks - China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation rose by 1.19%, closing at HKD 4.25 [1] - China National Petroleum Corporation increased by 1.08%, closing at HKD 8.45 [1] - CNOOC Limited saw a rise of 2.65%, closing at HKD 20.88 [1]

Core Viewpoint - Western Securities maintains a "Buy" rating for Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) and is optimistic about the deepening of mutual market access and the appreciation of the Renminbi, raising the forecast for 2025 net profit to HKD 18 billion [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - For the first three quarters of 2025, HKEX reported revenue and net profit attributable to shareholders of HKD 21.85 billion and HKD 13.42 billion, representing year-on-year increases of 36.6% and 44.8% respectively [1] - In Q3 2025, HKEX achieved revenue and net profit of HKD 7.78 billion and HKD 4.90 billion, with year-on-year increases of 44.7% and 55.8%, and quarter-on-quarter increases of 8% and 10% [1] - Q3 net profit reached a historical high, slightly exceeding previous expectations [1] Group 2: Market Activity - The Hong Kong cash market achieved record trading volumes, with an average daily turnover (ADT) of approximately HKD 256.4 billion for the first three quarters of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 126.3% [2] - In Q3 2025, the ADT reached approximately HKD 286.4 billion, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 142.3% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 20% [2] - The Southbound and Northbound ADT reached HKD 125.9 billion and RMB 206.4 billion respectively, with year-on-year increases of 284.9% and 143.5% [2] Group 3: IPO and Derivatives Market - In the first three quarters of 2025, the Hong Kong market saw 69 new IPOs, raising a total of HKD 188.3 billion, which is a year-on-year increase of 238.7% [2] - As of the end of October, the total IPO fundraising amount exceeded USD 26 billion, ranking first globally [2] - The average daily trading volume of derivatives and LME continued to grow, with average daily contract numbers and commodity ADV increasing by 11% and 4% year-on-year respectively [2] Group 4: Investment Income - Margin investment income growth is a key support for investment income, with margin scale increasing by 47% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2025 [2] - The company fully redeemed its external portfolio in Q2 2025 to raise funds for headquarters property, leading to a 39% year-on-year decline in external portfolio income for Q1-Q3 2025 [2] - The average overnight HIBOR in October has rebounded to 2.8% from a low of 0.02% at the end of June, but may still show volatility due to potential Fed rate cuts and the impact of external portfolio redemption on annual investment income [2]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [6][3] Core Insights - The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) reported record high profits driven by high trading activity, with revenue and net profit for the first three quarters of 2025 reaching HKD 218.5 billion and HKD 134.2 billion, respectively, representing year-on-year increases of 36.6% and 44.8% [1][6] - In Q3 2025 alone, the company achieved revenues and net profits of HKD 77.8 billion and HKD 49.0 billion, marking year-on-year increases of 44.7% and 55.8%, and quarter-on-quarter increases of 8% and 10% [1][6] - The report highlights significant growth in various segments, including trading, listing, clearing, custody, data, and investment income, with year-on-year increases of 57.3%, 17.1%, 65.7%, 24.9%, 8.1%, 10.3%, and 4.4%, respectively [1] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - For the first three quarters of 2025, the average daily trading (ADT) in the Hong Kong stock market was approximately HKD 2,564 billion, a year-on-year increase of 126.3%, with Q3 ADT reaching HKD 2,864 billion, up 142.3% year-on-year and 20% quarter-on-quarter [2] - The number of IPOs in the Hong Kong market reached 69 in the first three quarters of 2025, raising HKD 1,883 billion, a year-on-year increase of 238.7% [2] - The report notes that the average daily trading volume for derivatives and LME continued to grow, with contract numbers and commodity ADV increasing by 11% and 4% year-on-year, respectively [2] Investment Income - Margin investment income was a key support for overall investment income, with a 16% increase in margin investment income driven by a 47% year-on-year increase in margin size [3] - The report indicates that external portfolio returns were down 39% year-on-year due to the redemption of external portfolios, which may impact overall investment income for the year [3] Future Outlook - The report expresses optimism regarding the deepening of mutual market access and the appreciation of the Renminbi, leading to an increase in the company's valuation [3] - The forecast for net profit for 2025 has been raised to HKD 180 billion [3]

Core Viewpoint - The report from Shenwan Hongyuan raises the profit forecast for Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (00388) and maintains a "buy" rating, citing strong trading activity in the Hong Kong stock market and expectations for continued market engagement due to the return of quality Chinese assets and the extension of cross-border connectivity to IPOs [1][2]. Financial Performance - For the first nine months of 2025 (9M25), Hong Kong Exchanges reported total revenue of HKD 21.85 billion, a year-on-year increase of 37%, with main revenue at HKD 20.44 billion, up 41% [2]. - Net profit for 9M25 reached HKD 13.42 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 45% [2]. - In the third quarter of 2025 (3Q25), main revenue was HKD 7.48 billion, up 54% year-on-year and 13% quarter-on-quarter, while net profit was HKD 4.90 billion, increasing by 56% year-on-year and 10% quarter-on-quarter [2]. Revenue Breakdown - Revenue sources for 9M25 include: trading fees at HKD 7.83 billion (39%), clearing and settlement fees at HKD 5.27 billion (26%), investment income at HKD 3.89 billion (19%), listing fees at HKD 1.27 billion (6%), and market data fees at HKD 0.87 billion (4%) [3]. - Year-on-year growth rates for various fees include: trading fees +57%, clearing and settlement fees +66%, listing fees +17%, and market data fees +8% [3]. Trading Activity - The average daily turnover (ADT) for Hong Kong stocks in 9M25 was HKD 238.7 billion, a year-on-year increase of 132%, with 3Q25 ADT reaching a record high of HKD 267.9 billion, up 150% year-on-year [3]. - Southbound ADT for 9M25 was HKD 125.9 billion, up 229%, while northbound ADT was RMB 206.4 billion, up 67% [3]. IPO Market - In 9M25, the Hong Kong IPO market raised HKD 188.3 billion, three times the amount raised in the same period last year, with 69 new IPOs [5]. - As of the end of 3Q25, there were 297 IPO applications in process, compared to 84 at the end of 2024 [5]. Investment Income - Investment income for 3Q25 was HKD 1.02 billion, down 16% year-on-year and 34% quarter-on-quarter, contributing 21% to net profit [6]. - The decline in investment income was attributed to reduced external fund composition and narrowed exchange rate gains [6].

Group 1 - Goldman Sachs has raised GDP growth expectations for China and India due to manufacturing and export growth [1] - The report expresses a more favorable outlook for the technology, materials, insurance, and industrial sectors this month [1] - Ratings for the energy sector and other industries have been downgraded [1] Group 2 - Goldman Sachs has released a new list of buy-rated stocks in the Hong Kong market, including AIA (01299.HK), Techtronic Industries (00669.HK), China Pacific Insurance (02328.HK), and Lenovo Group (00992.HK) among others [2] - The list features a total of 25 companies, indicating a diverse range of sectors and investment opportunities [2][3]

Group 1 - Goldman Sachs has raised GDP growth expectations for China and India due to manufacturing and export growth [1] - The report expresses a positive outlook for the technology, materials, insurance, and industrial sectors this month [1] - Ratings for the real estate and energy sectors have been downgraded [1] Group 2 - A list of recommended stocks for investment in the Hong Kong market includes: AIA (01299.HK), Xiaomi-W (01810.HK), Hong Kong Exchanges (00388.HK), Ping An (02318.HK), Zijin Mining (02899.HK), Techtronic Industries (00669.HK), China Pacific Insurance (02328.HK), China Life Insurance (02601.HK), Lenovo Group (00992.HK), Luoyang Molybdenum (03993.HK), Hua Hong Semiconductor (01347.HK), Zhaojin Mining (01818.HK), Chalco (02600.HK), Weichai Power (02338.HK), CICC (03908.HK), Jiangxi Copper (00358.HK), AAC Technologies (02018.HK), Conch Cement (00914.HK), BYD Electronics (00285.HK), Minmetals Resources (01208.HK), CRRC (01766.HK), JD Logistics (02618.HK), Swire Properties A (00019.HK), China National Building Material (03323.HK), and Times Electric (03898.HK) [1]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited is "Buy" (maintained) [1] Core Views - The report highlights a significant improvement in ADT-related businesses, indicating potential for valuation uplift. The company's revenue and net profit for the first three quarters of 2025 reached HKD 218.5 billion and HKD 134.2 billion, respectively, representing year-on-year increases of 37% and 45% [5][6] - The report anticipates continued high growth in the company's fundamentals, driven by a recovery in IPO activities and sustained inflows of southbound capital, with a forecasted increase in ADT for 2025-2027 [5][6] Summary by Sections Financial Performance - For Q1-Q3 2025, trading, settlement, listing, custody, data, and other investment income grew by 57%, 66%, 16%, 25%, 8%, 10%, and 4% year-on-year, respectively. The core driver of revenue growth is the significant increase in trading and settlement fees directly linked to ADT [5][6] - The company has revised its ADT assumptions for 2025-2027 to HKD 2,580 billion, HKD 2,620 billion, and HKD 2,700 billion, reflecting year-on-year growth of 96%, 2%, and 3% [5][6] Market Outlook - The primary market for Hong Kong stocks is experiencing high demand, with 69 new listings in Q1-Q3 2025, a 53% increase year-on-year, and total fundraising amounting to HKD 1,883 billion, more than three times that of the same period in 2024 [7] - The report notes that the trading volume is expected to remain active due to the influx of quality assets from Chinese concept stocks returning to Hong Kong and the wave of A-share listings in Hong Kong [7] Valuation and Dividend - The expected dividend yield for 2025 is 3.0%, assuming a constant payout ratio of 90%. The report suggests that a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve could drive foreign capital back into the Hong Kong market, benefiting the exchange [8] - The current PE ratio is 31.2, which is at the 22nd percentile of the past ten years, indicating room for valuation improvement [8]