2023-08-16 10:33Financial Performance - For the six months ended June 30, 2023, total revenue was HKD 10,575 million, an increase from HKD 8,937 million for the same period in 2022, representing a growth of 18.3%[2] - Net investment income for the period was HKD 2,676 million, significantly up from HKD 89 million in the previous year, indicating a substantial increase of 2,895.5%[2] - The operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was HKD 7,140 million, compared to HKD 5,677 million in the same period of 2022, reflecting an increase of 25.8%[2] - The profit attributable to shareholders for the period was HKD 6,312 million, up from HKD 4,836 million in the previous year, marking a growth of 30.5%[2] - Basic earnings per share for the period were HKD 4.99, compared to HKD 3.82 for the same period in 2022, representing an increase of 30.7%[2] - Total comprehensive income for the period was HKD 6,467 million, compared to HKD 4,631 million in the previous year, indicating a growth of 39.7%[3] - The EBITDA for the group was HKD 7,859 million for the first half of 2023, up from HKD 6,394 million in the same period of 2022, reflecting a growth of 22.9%[14] - The group’s pre-tax profit for the first half of 2023 was HKD 7,109 million, compared to HKD 5,646 million in the same period of 2022, representing a growth of 25.5%[14] Revenue Segmentation - The "Cash" segment generated revenue of HKD 4,100 million, while the "Equity Securities and Financial Derivatives" segment contributed HKD 1,788 million, and the "Commodity" segment brought in HKD 944 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023[13] - The "Data and Connectivity" segment reported revenue of HKD 1,018 million, showing a significant increase from HKD 980 million in the same period last year[14] - Trading fees from equity securities transactions amounted to HKD 1,525 million, a decrease from HKD 1,791 million in the previous year, indicating a shift in trading activity[75] Expenses and Liabilities - Operating expenses increased to HKD 2,622 million from HKD 2,456 million, reflecting a rise of 6.8%[2] - The company reported a decrease in trading fees and trading system usage fees to HKD 3,182 million from HKD 3,553 million, a decline of 10.5%[2] - Total liabilities stood at HKD 305.42 billion, down 14.0% from HKD 355.95 billion at the end of 2022[4] - The company’s borrowings slightly increased to HKD 495 million from HKD 491 million, reflecting a marginal rise of 0.8%[4] Cash Flow and Investments - The net cash inflow from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was HKD 5,395 million, down from HKD 6,778 million in the same period of 2022, representing a decrease of approximately 20.4%[7] - The net cash outflow from investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was HKD 3,206 million, compared to HKD 2,141 million in the prior year, indicating an increase of approximately 49.7%[7] - The company paid dividends of HKD 4,649 million during the financial period, a decrease from HKD 5,313 million in the previous year, reflecting a reduction of approximately 12.5%[7] Assets and Equity - Total assets as of June 30, 2023, amounted to HKD 357.49 billion, a decrease of 6.1% from HKD 406.05 billion as of December 31, 2022[4] - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to HKD 148.58 billion from HKD 184.97 billion, representing a decline of 19.6%[4] - The company’s equity attributable to shareholders rose to HKD 51.65 billion, up from HKD 49.73 billion, indicating an increase of 3.9%[5] - The company’s retained earnings increased to HKD 20.06 billion as of June 30, 2023, compared to HKD 18.55 billion at the end of 2022, reflecting a growth of 8.1%[5] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to continue expanding its market presence and investing in new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and service offerings[1] - The company plans to enhance its data business as a key strategic development area, reflecting a shift in focus towards data services and connectivity[12] - The company continues to focus on developing products related to green development, as evidenced by the launch of industrial silicon and lithium carbonate futures and options[57] Regulatory and Compliance - The company adopted new HKFRS standards in 2023, which had no financial impact on the group during the reporting period[9] - The group is involved in significant litigation with claims totaling approximately 600 million USD as of June 30, 2023, related to decisions made in March 2022 regarding nickel contracts[46] Management and Personnel - Total remuneration for key management personnel for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was 143 million, down from 170 million in the same period of 2022, a decrease of 15.9%[48]