Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) reported a significant increase in revenue for the first half of 2025, achieving HKD 14.076 billion, which represents a year-on-year growth of 33% [1]. Group 1: Financial Performance - HKEX's total revenue for the first half of 2025 reached HKD 14.076 billion, marking a 33% increase compared to the previous year [1]. Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The CEO of HKEX, Charles Li, emphasized the importance of strategic investments in areas such as data platform optimization and trading settlement system upgrades to maintain global competitiveness [3]. - HKEX is committed to a collaborative development approach involving investors, enterprises, products, infrastructure, and technology [3]. Group 3: Market Adaptation - In response to the market's interest in extended trading hours, HKEX is studying the implementation of a 24-hour trading mechanism, similar to Nasdaq's plans for 2026, while ensuring a cautious and gradual approach [3]. - HKEX has validated the stability of its trading and settlement systems during adverse weather conditions, maintaining an average daily trading volume of over HKD 200 billion during recent severe weather events [3]. Group 4: Settlement Cycle - HKEX is actively discussing with market participants the possibility of shortening the settlement cycle for the cash market, with the technical systems ready to support a T+1 settlement cycle by the end of this year [3].