Core Insights - Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) has implemented various measures to enhance market activity, resulting in significant performance improvements in 2025 [1][2] - The exchange aims to continue enhancing its platform, infrastructure, and product offerings to provide diverse options, ample liquidity, and efficient connectivity for investors and issuers [1] Market Performance - In the first half of 2025, HKEX achieved record highs in multiple market metrics, with an average daily trading amount of HKD 240.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 118% [2] - The average daily trading volume for futures and options exceeded 1.7 million contracts, up 11% year-on-year [2] - The Hong Kong ETF market saw a significant increase, with an average daily trading amount of HKD 33.8 billion, rising 184% compared to the same period last year [2] - Northbound and southbound trading through the Stock Connect also reached record highs, with an average daily trading amount of RMB 171.3 billion, a 32% increase from the first half of 2024 [2] Revenue Growth - HKEX reported a record revenue and other income of HKD 14.076 billion in the first half of 2025, a 33% increase from the same period in 2024 [3] - The increase in trading activity significantly contributed to revenue growth, with trading fees and system usage fees reaching HKD 4.906 billion, up 49.11% year-on-year [3] - Clearing and settlement fees amounted to HKD 3.155 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 48.47% [3] - Nearly 90% of HKEX's profits are allocated for dividends, with a total interim dividend of approximately HKD 7.6 billion [3] IPO Market - HKEX regained the top position globally in terms of fundraising in the first half of 2025, welcoming 44 new listings, a 716% increase year-on-year [4] - Notable IPOs included CATL, which raised HKD 41 billion, marking the largest IPO on HKEX since February 2021 [4] - The number of companies waiting to go public reached 207, indicating a robust pipeline for new listings [4] - The total amount raised through refinancing reached HKD 244.8 billion, the highest for a half-year since 2021 [4] Strategic Initiatives - HKEX is advancing several strategic initiatives to solidify its role as a global hub, including extending the duration of interest rate swap contracts to 30 years to meet diverse risk management needs [5] - Plans to include RMB-denominated stocks in the Stock Connect are underway, enhancing connectivity between Hong Kong and mainland markets [5] - The introduction of the "Specialized Technology Company Route" allows tech firms to submit IPO applications confidentially, promoting a more accessible listing process [6] - HKEX has expanded its product offerings, including new stock options and the first Nasdaq-100 ETF listed in Asia, enhancing investor choices [6] Future Outlook - Despite various external uncertainties, HKEX remains cautiously optimistic about the market outlook for the second half of 2025, with confidence in its ability to adapt to changing conditions [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) reported strong financial performance for the first half of 2025, with significant increases in both revenue and net profit, driven by heightened market activity and a resurgence in IPO fundraising [1][2]. Revenue Performance - For H1 2025, HKEX achieved revenue of HKD 14.076 billion, a year-on-year increase of 32.5%, and a net profit of HKD 8.519 billion, up 39.1% year-on-year [1]. - In Q2 2025, revenue reached HKD 7.219 billion, reflecting a 33.2% year-on-year growth and a 5.3% quarter-on-quarter increase, while net profit was HKD 4.442 billion, up 40.8% year-on-year and 9.0% quarter-on-quarter [1]. Revenue Structure - The revenue sources for HKEX include trading and trading system usage fees, settlement and clearing fees, listing fees, custodial services, investment income, and market data fees [1]. - In H1 2025, trading fees, settlement fees, and custodial service fees accounted for 62.0% of total revenue, an increase of 5.9 percentage points year-on-year [1]. Market Activity - The stock market showed robust activity, with the average daily turnover of Hong Kong stocks reaching HKD 222.8 billion, a 122% increase year-on-year, marking a new half-year high [2]. - The average daily turnover for the Stock Connect program was HKD 111 billion, up 196% year-on-year, indicating a significant increase in participation from mainland investors [2]. IPO Market - In H1 2025, HKEX's listing fees amounted to HKD 4.35 billion, a 1% increase year-on-year, with total IPO fundraising reaching HKD 109.4 billion, a remarkable 716% increase year-on-year, reclaiming the top position in the global IPO market [2]. - A total of 44 companies were listed in the Hong Kong market during the first half of 2025, including the largest IPO globally since 2023 [2]. Derivatives Market - The trading fees from derivatives, including warrants and options, totaled HKD 1.298 billion in H1 2025, a 14% increase year-on-year, with average daily trading volume rising by 11% [3]. - Investment income from margin and clearing funds reached HKD 1.831 billion, a 13% increase year-on-year, driven by an increase in average margin size [3]. Strategic Outlook - HKEX is expected to benefit from a favorable capital market environment and ongoing reforms aimed at attracting high-quality companies to list in Hong Kong [4]. - The company has adjusted its earnings forecasts for 2025, 2026, and 2027, projecting EPS of HKD 13.72, 15.03, and 16.90 respectively, with a target price of HKD 494 based on a 36x PE valuation for 2025 [4].

Group 1 - The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) reported a significant increase in new listings and fundraising in the first seven months of the year, with 53 new companies listed, representing a 33% increase compared to the same period last year [1][3] - The total amount raised by new listings reached HKD 127.9 billion, marking an over sixfold year-on-year increase, while the overall fundraising in the market amounted to HKD 331.8 billion, nearly tripling from HKD 83.5 billion in the previous year [3] - The total market capitalization of the Hong Kong securities market reached HKD 44.9 trillion, a 44% year-on-year increase, with average daily trading volume for July at HKD 262.9 billion, reflecting a nearly 1.7 times growth year-on-year [3][5] Group 2 - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also showed strong performance, with average daily trading volume reaching HKD 33.3 billion in the first seven months, an increase of 1.8 times year-on-year, indicating a growing demand for diversified products [3] - The positive data from HKEX is attributed to global capital confidence in China's economic outlook and ongoing improvements in Hong Kong's capital market, including listing system reforms and product innovations [5] - The Hang Seng Index closed at 24,910.63 points, up 8.1 points or 0.03%, with a total trading volume of HKD 215.2 billion for the day [5]

Core Insights - The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) reported a significant increase in new listings and fundraising activities in the first seven months of the year, with 53 new companies listed, representing a 33% increase compared to the same period last year [1][3] Group 1: Market Performance - The total fundraising amount for new listings reached HKD 127.9 billion, marking an over sixfold year-on-year increase [3] - The overall market fundraising amount was HKD 331.8 billion, nearly tripling from HKD 83.5 billion in the same period last year [3] - As of the end of July, the total market capitalization of the Hong Kong securities market reached HKD 44.9 trillion, a 44% year-on-year increase [3] Group 2: Trading Activity - The average daily trading amount in July was HKD 262.9 billion, showing a year-on-year increase of nearly 1.7 times [3] - The average daily trading amount for the first seven months of the year was HKD 243.7 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of over 1.2 times [3] - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also saw strong performance, with an average daily trading amount of HKD 33.3 billion in the first seven months, up 1.8 times year-on-year [3] Group 3: Market Outlook - The positive data from HKEX is attributed to global capital confidence in the Chinese economic outlook and ongoing improvements in Hong Kong's capital market, including listing system reforms and product innovations [5] - The market's increasing vitality reinforces Hong Kong's position as a hub connecting mainland China with global capital [5]

Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong's stock market is undergoing reforms to attract emerging industries and overseas companies for fundraising, with a focus on optimizing the listing mechanism while ensuring investor protection [2][4]. Group 1: Listing Mechanism Optimization - The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) has relaxed listing rules by lowering the market capitalization requirement for secondary listings of Greater China issuers and removing restrictions on "innovative industry companies" [4]. - HKEX is set to lower the listing market cap threshold for specialized technology companies by September 2024 and will launch a "Tech Company Fast Track" by May 2025 to provide pre-listing guidance for biotech and other firms [4]. - The HKEX is researching a tiered minimum public shareholding requirement based on issuer market capitalization, with consultations already initiated [4]. Group 2: Approval Process Efficiency - The approval process for listings has been significantly expedited, with the average time reduced from 61 days in 2022 to 28 days as of June 2023 [5]. - The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and HKEX have committed to completing applications within 40 business days, with a maximum of two rounds of inquiries [5]. Group 3: International Outreach and Market Expansion - The proportion of international companies listed in Hong Kong is currently between 5% and 10%, which is significantly lower than London and the US markets [7]. - HKEX plans to expand the list of recognized overseas exchanges and simplify the listing process for foreign issuers, aiming to enhance the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a fundraising platform [7][8]. - The HKEX is actively promoting its listing advantages in ASEAN and the Middle East, with initiatives to attract more international companies to utilize Hong Kong's capital market [8].

Core Insights - Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) celebrated its 25th anniversary, evolving from a local exchange to a leading global international exchange [1] - In 2025, HKEX's IPO financing amount is expected to reclaim the global top position after six years, with 31 IPO projects raising a total of 884 billion HKD this year, surpassing last year's total [1][2] - The daily trading volume in the securities market has increased from approximately 130 billion HKD in 2000 to over 2400 billion HKD, representing a more than 17-fold increase [1] - The market capitalization has grown from 86 billion HKD in 2000 to 4960 billion HKD, an increase of over 56 times [1] - The number of listed companies on the Hong Kong stock market has surged from 790 to over 2600 [1] IPO Trends - From 2009 to 2021, HKEX ranked first globally in IPO fundraising seven times, but faced a decline starting in 2022, only returning to the top five in 2023 due to large companies like Midea listing [2] - Between 2014 and 2024, HKEX's cumulative IPO fundraising reached 303 billion USD, surpassing NASDAQ and NYSE, with mainland companies becoming a significant pillar of this market [2] - As of June 8, 2023, there are 165 mainland companies queued to list on HKEX, a significant increase from nearly 80 in mid-January [2] Market Reforms and Innovations - HKEX has implemented various reforms over the past 25 years, adapting to market needs and attracting a diverse range of investors and products [3] - The exchange has shifted its listing rules to accommodate unprofitable companies, particularly in the biotech and internet sectors, which are now seen as valuable listings [3] - HKEX aims to position itself as a leading fundraising hub for new economy and biotech companies, as well as a global offshore RMB business center [3] Cross-Border Financial Cooperation - The launch of the Cross-Border Payment System on June 22 aims to enhance financial cooperation between mainland China and Hong Kong, facilitating cross-border remittances [5] - Since the introduction of various mutual market access programs, the total balance of foreign investment in onshore stocks has increased over five times, with mainland companies now accounting for 81% of the total market capitalization of HKEX [5] - The mutual access mechanisms have expanded from stocks to include bonds, ETFs, and interest rate swaps, with further developments planned [6] Future Outlook - HKEX is focused on enhancing its market resilience and vibrancy, with ongoing improvements to trading systems and infrastructure [6] - The recent policy changes allow companies listed on HKEX in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to also list on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, potentially increasing the number of "H+A" listed companies [6]