Group 1 - Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) operates exchanges and provides fixed income and mortgage services for financial institutions [1] - The company is anticipated to sustain growth momentum in future trading volumes in FY25 [1] - A 'buy' rating is initiated with a fair value assessment [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Company reported a decline in net asset value (NAV) and total return for the six months ending March 31, 2025, reflecting challenging market conditions and investment performance [3][4][13]. Financial Highlights - NAV per share decreased from 40.55p to 34.48p, representing a total return of -8.19% [4][13]. - Market capitalization fell from £150.60 million to £124.25 million [4]. - Share price also declined from 42.20p to 33.80p, with a share price discount to NAV per share of 1.97% [4]. - Dividends paid per share increased from 1.50p to 2.75p during the period [4][6]. Investment Activity - The Company invested £3.6 million in qualifying companies during the period, maintaining 92.29% of its portfolio in qualifying investments [6][30]. - An offer for subscription launched on October 9, 2024, aimed to raise up to £20 million, with £5.4 million raised by issuing 14 million shares [6][31]. Performance of Qualifying Investments - Positive contributors included Aquis Exchange (+95.8%, +£1.71 million) and Cohort (+26.1%, +£1.12 million) due to increased defense spending [15][16]. - Negative contributors included Kidly (-100.00%, -£1.26 million) which went into administration, and Zoo Digital (-74.3%, -£1.14 million) which issued a disappointing trading update [20][21]. Non-Qualifying Investments - The non-qualifying portfolio saw a decline of £1.27 million, with notable losses in WH Smith and Hollywood Bowl due to a weaker economic outlook [27][28]. - The fixed income portfolio returned +£0.35 million, offsetting some losses from direct equities [29]. Market Outlook - The UK economy is expected to see a modest GDP growth of +1.0% in 2025, supported by increased public spending despite inflation concerns [10][39]. - The AIM index has shown resilience post 'Liberation Day', indicating potential growth opportunities despite ongoing market volatility [12][40]. Portfolio Structure - The Company maintained a strong liquidity position with net cash of £11.7 million and a focus on recurring revenue, which represented 82% of total revenue [26][29]. - The portfolio's weighting to qualifying investments increased to 58.4%, while cash weighting decreased to 7.6% [36].

Nasdaq (NDAQ) 2025 Conference Summary Industry Overview - Nasdaq is a global exchange operator that has been transforming its business model to become a technology and platform provider for corporates, investment managers, and financial institutions [2][3] Key Points and Arguments Market Dynamics - The first half of 2025 has seen significant market volatility, with record volumes in equity options in April, followed by normalization in May [5][6] - Nasdaq reported record-breaking statistics on trading volumes, including 100 million options contracts and 31 billion shares in equities on Liberation Day [8] - The exchange managed over 550 billion messages in a single day, showcasing its operational resilience [10] - The Nasdaq index has shown a recovery, up 2.5% year-to-date after being down 20% earlier [12] - European markets, which Nasdaq operates in, are outperforming U.S. markets, indicating strong performance across its international operations [13] Retail Participation - Retail participation in the markets remains strong, particularly in equities and options, with foreign retail ownership of U.S. equities doubling over the past five years [14][15] - Retail investors are described as more sophisticated, utilizing better tools and information compared to previous years [16] 24/5 Trading Initiative - Nasdaq plans to launch 24/5 trading by the second half of 2026, driven by demand from retail investors, particularly from North Asia [17][18] - The initiative aims to harmonize trading hours across exchanges while ensuring market integrity and transparency [19][20] - Operational challenges include staffing, managing corporate actions, and ensuring liquidity during extended trading hours [27][28] Strategic Pivot Towards Information Services - Nasdaq has been pivoting towards information services since 2017, focusing on financial technology and risk management solutions [29][30] - The company has made several acquisitions to enhance its portfolio, including regulatory technology and financial crime management solutions [34] - Nasdaq aims to be a trusted partner for clients, helping them navigate increasing complexity in the financial landscape [33] Demand for Regulatory and Risk Management Solutions - Acxiom, a regulatory technology solution, is positioned to capitalize on global modernization efforts in banking systems [41][42] - Surveillance solutions are benefiting from increased trading activity in crypto and heightened regulatory scrutiny across asset classes [44][45] AI Integration - Nasdaq is embedding AI capabilities into its products, such as the XVA accelerator in Calypso, which significantly reduces computation time for complex derivatives [61][65] - AI is expected to enhance both product offerings and operational efficiencies, improving client satisfaction [62] Digital Assets Strategy - Nasdaq is actively involved in the digital asset space, offering trading and surveillance technology, and listing ETFs related to crypto [70] - The company sees opportunities in collateral management for digital assets, aiming to integrate traditional finance with digital rails [72][74] Other Important Insights - Nasdaq's operational resilience has been tested during periods of high volatility, and the company has successfully managed record trading volumes [10][11] - The strategic focus on technology and information services positions Nasdaq well for future growth in a rapidly evolving financial landscape [34][35] - The integration of AI and digital asset strategies reflects Nasdaq's commitment to innovation and adapting to market demands [61][70]

Core Viewpoint - Cboe Global Markets has successfully migrated its Financially Settled Bitcoin (FBT) and Financially Settled Ether (FET) futures to the Cboe Futures Exchange (CFE), consolidating all U.S. futures products onto one exchange, which is expected to enhance customer access and efficiency [1][8]. Group 1: Migration and Technology - The migration of FBT and FET futures to CFE occurred on June 9, 2025, allowing all of Cboe's U.S. futures products to trade on a single exchange powered by a unified technology platform [1][8]. - Cboe Titanium technology, which supports trading across all of Cboe's global markets, is designed to provide a seamless trading experience and handle nearly 24-hour trading [5][6]. Group 2: Product Offerings - The cash-settled FBT and FET futures were initially launched on Cboe Digital Exchange in January 2024 and are based on the Cboe Kaiko Rate Index [3][8]. - FBT and FET futures will be available for trading nearly 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday, providing extended trading hours for managing exposure to bitcoin and ether [6][8]. Group 3: Clearing and Market Position - FBT and FET futures will continue to be centrally cleared through Cboe Clear U.S., establishing a direct clearing relationship that enhances Cboe's global clearing capabilities [4][8]. - CFE has a history of innovation in volatility trading and aims to meet the diverse trading needs of various market participants with its expanded product suite [2][8].

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Overweight" (OW) rating to HK Exchanges & Clearing (0388.HK) with a new price target of HK$500, reflecting a 24% upside potential from the current price of HK$402.40 [6][31]. Core Insights - The report highlights increased confidence in the financial system cycle bottom, which is expected to support trading volume and market sentiment in Hong Kong [9][44]. - Strong year-to-date (YTD) performance is noted, with average daily trading value (ADV) reaching HK$240 billion as of June 6, 2025, an 82% increase from HK$132 billion in 2024 [2][9]. - The report anticipates a robust IPO recovery, with funds raised reaching HK$78 billion in the first five months of 2025, up over 700% year-on-year [15][17]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - The report raises ADV assumptions to HK$220 billion for 2025 and HK$240 billion for 2026, reflecting a more favorable market environment and increased IPO activity [4][26]. - Earnings forecasts have been adjusted upward, with EPS estimates increasing by 9.4% for 2025 and 10.6% for 2026 [27][30]. Market Dynamics - The financial system is believed to be in a properly regulated development mode, reducing market volatility and supporting capital market activity [3][10]. - The report identifies key drivers for trading volume, including a shift to an innovation-driven development model in China and easing trade tensions, which are expected to enhance market sentiment [11][14]. IPO Activity - A solid IPO pipeline is anticipated, with 138 deals in process as of May 30, 2025, and expectations for IPO volume to rise to HK$180 billion in 2025 and HK$310 billion in 2026 [15][19]. - The loosening of IPO criteria by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) is expected to further stimulate market activity [15][44]. Valuation and Price Target - The new price target of HK$500 is derived from applying a P/E multiple of 37.4x to the 2026 EPS estimate of HK$13.38, reflecting a bullish outlook on market conditions [31][38]. - The report outlines different valuation scenarios, with the base case target increasing to HK$468 and the bull case target rising to HK$630 [32][33].

智通财经6月6日电，记者获悉，为确保香港市场股份交收费收费标准调整的顺利实施，包括港股通、B 转 H 股份、H 股"全流通"的交易及清算交收仿真测试将于6月17日至6月27 日进行，检验市场参与各方 技术系统的正确性。今年2月，港交所宣布，将优化证券市场的股份交收费结构，以提高市场效率及确 保有关收费与交易金额更紧密挂钩，待市场准备就绪后于2025年6月实施，届时将取消最低和最高费限 额，并将收费率统一调整为每笔交易0.42基点（0.0042%）。对投资者来说，交易成本的降低将直接减 少个人投资者的交易费用，提高其投资收益，也可以提高市场活跃度，有助于吸引更多长期资金进入市 场。（智通财经记者 林坚） 港交所交易收费新标准即将落地 仿真测试6月中下旬开始 ...

Summary of Nasdaq (NDAQ) Conference Call - June 05, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Nasdaq, Inc. - **Industry**: Global exchange operator and financial technology company Key Points Economic Environment and IPO Market - The U.S. economy shows strength and resilience, which supports capital deployment by companies and investors [5][6] - The IPO pipeline is expected to open up as volatility moderates, with companies preparing to enter public markets [5][6] - There is pent-up supply from companies ready to go public, indicating optimism for increased IPO activity in the summer and second half of the year [6] Sector Engagement - High engagement is noted in sectors related to AI technology and financial services, particularly fintech [7] - Companies in the digital economy are more attractive to investors compared to those affected by tariff uncertainties [8] Sales Cycle and Demand for Financial Technology - Demand for Nasdaq's financial technology solutions remains strong, with normalized conversations following tariff volatility [10] - The company is well-positioned competitively, with a healthy demand orientation for its products [10] One Nasdaq Strategy - Progress is being made towards the goal of $100 million in cross-selling opportunities by 2027, with 15% of the fintech pipeline currently in cross-sells [11][12] - The strategy involves aligning teams, tracking client data, and engaging clients holistically [11] Product Demand and Market Modernization - Strong demand across all product vectors, including surveillance and market modernization solutions [15] - New regulations and the need for modernization in risk management are driving demand for Nasdaq's products [15][16] Crypto and Tokenization Opportunities - Nasdaq is actively providing trading and clearing technology for crypto markets, with growth potential as cryptocurrencies become more bankable [19] - The company aims to leverage its technology to reduce friction in the financial system through tokenization [20] Index Business Performance - The index business has shown strong revenue growth, with a focus on transparency and alpha generation [22] - New product launches and global expansion are key growth drivers [24] 24/5 Trading Initiative - Nasdaq is exploring the implementation of 24/5 trading to meet global retail demand, while ensuring investor protections are in place [26][27] - The company is working on building the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals for this initiative [29][30] Texas as a Capital Markets Hub - Texas is emerging as a significant capital markets hub, with Nasdaq planning to establish a regional headquarters in Dallas [32][34] - The pro-business environment and the state's efforts to create a capital markets hub present growth opportunities for Nasdaq [34][36] M&A Strategy - Nasdaq is focused on organic growth and deleveraging, with no immediate plans for large-scale M&A [40][41] - The company is open to small bolt-on acquisitions but prioritizes optimizing organic growth [41] Artificial Intelligence Integration - Nasdaq is implementing AI in product development and business operations, with a focus on enhancing efficiency and client service [42][43] - The company anticipates that AI will support margin expansion over time [48] Future Trends in the Exchange Business - Major trends identified include AI, tokenization, and the potential for 24/5 trading, with Nasdaq committed to being an innovator in these areas [50][51] Additional Insights - Nasdaq's engagement with clients in Texas and the broader regulatory environment is crucial for future growth [36] - The company is actively working on corporate reforms to improve the public company experience in the U.S. [36]

CME Group Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: CME Group (CME) - **Industry**: Futures Exchange Key Points Industry Performance - CME Group has experienced strong trading volumes, with a record year in 2024 and a record month in May 2025 [3][4] - Open interest has significantly increased, indicating robust market activity [3] Macro Economic Concerns - There are significant macroeconomic risks, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, which could impact market stability [4][5] - The U.S. faces a substantial debt of $37 trillion and a $2 trillion annual deficit, raising concerns about future economic conditions [6][40] Retail Trading Dynamics - Retail trading is evolving, with a notable shift from cash equities to options and now to futures, driven by technological advancements [8][9] - The sophistication of retail traders has increased, leading to a more stable participation in the markets [10][14] - Event contracts are gaining popularity among retail participants, but CME needs to target the right audience for these products to succeed [16][17] International Growth - CME's average daily volume (ADV) overseas has grown by 19% year-over-year, driven by both macroeconomic factors and internal initiatives [19][20] - The company has expanded its sales force significantly to enhance international outreach and education about its products [20] Crypto Market Position - CME is recognized as a leading player in the crypto derivatives market, with a cautious but optimistic outlook on the future of cryptocurrencies [22][25] - The importance of stablecoins and their potential to enhance the crypto market's efficiency is emphasized [26][33] Competitive Landscape - CME remains vigilant about competition, particularly in the interest rate complex, where new challengers have emerged [34][36] - The company has achieved significant efficiencies in its operations, saving clients $60 billion daily across various asset classes [36][40] Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) - CME is open to M&A opportunities but emphasizes the need for strategic alignment with user benefits [42][44] - The company has successfully integrated past acquisitions, enhancing its market position [42] Leadership and Succession - The current CEO, Terry Duffy, is focused on ensuring a smooth succession plan for the future leadership of CME [46][49] Additional Insights - The integration of technology and the rise of retail trading are reshaping the financial services landscape, with implications for how CME operates and competes [10][12] - The potential for marrying spot and derivatives markets in crypto is still under consideration, reflecting the evolving nature of these markets [28][30]

Summary of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Conference Call - June 05, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) - **Speaker**: Lynn Martin, President of NYSE since 2022 Key Points IPO Market Sentiment - Initial optimism for the IPO market at the start of the year, which continued until mid-March [3] - Volatility in April caused several companies to delay their IPO plans, particularly international firms awaiting clarity on tariff debates [4] - Recent successful IPOs include Hinge Health, Mountain, and Circle, with Circle's IPO seeing a 30% increase from its offering price [5] - Companies that went public in 2024, such as Rubrik and Reddit, have seen their market caps triple, indicating readiness for the public market [6] Futures Business Positioning - The futures business thrives in volatile environments as companies seek to manage risk [8] - ICE has curated its futures portfolio to include energy, interest rates, and equity indices, focusing on global supply and demand dynamics [9] - Energy open interest has increased by 6% year-on-year and nearly 10% compared to the end of 2024, indicating growing trust in ICE's platform [10][11] Mortgage Business Opportunities - The mortgage business is seen as an opportunity to leverage data for revenue growth across ICE's services [14] - 65% of new mortgage originations occur through ICE's network, presenting a significant data opportunity [16] - The introduction of mortgage rate lock index futures is a step towards productizing mortgage data [17] Extended Trading Hours - ICE has extended U.S. equities trading hours to 22 hours a day, with plans for further extensions [20] - The focus is on adding reliability and resiliency to the trading ecosystem [21] Options Market Dynamics - Retail participation in options has surged, particularly with zero days till expiry (DTE) options, which have seen significant volume increases since COVID [27] - The average response time for processing incoming order messages has improved, with a peak of 1.1 trillion messages processed in April [28] Texas Market Developments - ICE has reincorporated NYSE Chicago debt to Texas, aligning with the state's business-friendly initiatives [33] - Texas is the largest state for ICE listings, and there is positive sentiment among companies considering dual listings [35] Tokenization and Crypto - ICE is cautiously optimistic about entering the crypto space, pending regulatory clarity [42][44] - Tokenization is viewed as a potential area for improving market structure, though its exact role remains uncertain [45][46] Future Trends - AI adoption is expected to be a significant storyline in the exchange space, with a focus on maintaining market integrity [49] - Globalization trends are also anticipated to influence the movement of companies to U.S. markets due to valuation appreciation [50] Additional Insights - The importance of institutional players in the futures market has been emphasized, with a focus on supply and demand dynamics [12][13] - The mortgage business is seen as a long-term growth opportunity, with a focus on efficiency and data utilization [16][18] - The competitive landscape in options trading has evolved, with retail driving significant volume increases [27][28] This summary encapsulates the key insights and developments discussed during the conference call, highlighting the strategic positioning and future outlook of Intercontinental Exchange.

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Hong Kong Exchanges (0388.HK) with a 12-month target price of HK$455.00, indicating an upside potential of 13.6% from the current price of HK$400.40 [1][2][10]. Core Insights - Despite a year-to-date share price increase of approximately 35%, the stock is considered undervalued relative to strong market activity levels. The listing pipeline is growing, with over 150 companies having submitted applications to list in Hong Kong [1][22][29]. - The introduction of new products, particularly weekly expiries for index options and stock options, is expected to drive growth in average daily volume (ADV) for options. Historical data from the US and India suggests that index options ADV could outperform cash market volumes by 40 to 50 percentage points [2][44][45]. - The report projects a 15% potential upside to cash equity average daily trading (ADT) from A-share companies listing in Hong Kong over the medium term, with adjustments made to FY26-27E ADT estimates [1][23][41]. Summary by Sections Financial Projections - Revenue estimates for FY25E, FY26E, and FY27E are projected at HK$25,721.8 million, HK$26,772.8 million, and HK$28,006.3 million respectively, reflecting an increase from previous estimates [4][10]. - EPS estimates have been raised by 2%, 9%, and 10% for FY25, FY26, and FY27 respectively, driven by higher volume expectations [2][10]. Market Activity - The report notes that HKEX has regained its position among the top five global IPO venues in Q1 2025, with around US$10 billion raised from IPOs year-to-date, nearly double the amounts raised in 2023 and 2024 [22][24]. - A-share companies listing H-shares for global expansion have accounted for over half of the IPO funds raised since 2024, with approximately 630 A-share companies identified as eligible to list H-shares [23][32]. Options Market - The introduction of zero-day-to-expiry (0DTE) options is anticipated to add approximately 10% to overall options ADV, based on successful models in the US and India [44][48]. - Currently, index options represent about 20% of total options ADV at HKEX, and the report suggests that this could lead to a significant increase in overall trading activity [2][44][60].