Core Viewpoint - The increasing interest of cornerstone investors, particularly local state-owned enterprises (SOEs), in Hong Kong IPOs is highlighted, with a significant rise in their participation and investment amounts over recent years [5][20]. Group 1: Cornerstone Investors' Role - In 2025, 85.7% of Hong Kong IPOs involved cornerstone investors, a significant increase from 26.5% in 2018, indicating a shift from being a luxury to a necessity for companies [9][11]. - The participation of local SOEs in cornerstone investments has surged, with 16 local SOEs investing a total of 2.557 billion HKD in 13 companies in the first half of 2025, marking a 33.3% increase in participants and a 65.9% increase in investment amount compared to the previous year [15][20]. Group 2: Financial Performance of IPOs - Companies with cornerstone investors saw a median stock price increase of 15.16% and an average increase of 49.08% six months post-IPO, while those without cornerstone investors experienced a median decline of 20.30% [11][12]. - Among the 42 IPOs in 2025 that included cornerstone investors, 86.1% saw their stock prices rise, with 21 companies experiencing gains exceeding 50% [13]. Group 3: Local SOEs' Strategic Interests - Local SOEs are increasingly motivated by industrial objectives, seeking to enhance local industry ecosystems through their investments in IPOs [22]. - Historical data shows that while there have been few cases of companies relocating their registered addresses, many have established production lines or branches in the regions of their investors, indicating a strategic alignment between capital and local industry development [22][24]. Group 4: Case Study - CATL - CATL's IPO in 2025 was the largest globally, attracting 23 cornerstone investors, including significant investments from local SOEs, which have been part of a long-term strategic partnership [25][26]. - The collaboration with local SOEs has allowed CATL to secure stable supplies of critical resources, enhancing its production capabilities and contributing to local economic growth [26].