Core Viewpoint - The report from CICC indicates that Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) has exceeded profit expectations for the second quarter, driven by sustained trading activity in the Hong Kong stock market, leading to upward revisions in profit forecasts for the next two years [1] Financial Performance - CICC has raised its profit forecast for HKEX's current year by 7% to HKD 16.519 billion [1] - The average daily turnover in the cash market has been adjusted upward by 12% to HKD 235.1 billion [1] - The profit forecast for the next year has been increased by 4.04% to HKD 17.268 billion [1] - The average daily turnover in the cash market for the next year has been revised up by 6% to HKD 256 billion [1] Target Price and Valuation - The target price for HKEX has been raised by 8% to HKD 500 [1] - This target price corresponds to a projected price-to-earnings ratio of 38 times for the current year and 37 times for the next year [1] - CICC maintains an "outperform" rating for HKEX [1]

Summary of Hong Kong Exchanges (0388.HK) Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Hong Kong Exchanges (0388.HK) - **Market Cap**: HK$559.4 billion / $71.7 billion - **Current Price**: HK$441.20 - **Target Price**: HK$509.00 - **Upside Potential**: 15.4% Key Financial Highlights - **2Q25 Earnings**: Earnings exceeded expectations, driven by higher-than-expected investment income. Core profits (excluding investment income) were in line with expectations, down 2%, but showed a strong increase of approximately 40% year-over-year due to nearly doubling cash Average Daily Turnover (ADT) [1][2] - **Earnings Estimates**: Adjustments made to FY25E/FY26E/FY27E EPS estimates increased by +3%/+1%/+2% respectively [1] - **P/E Ratio**: The stock trades at a mid-cycle P/E of approximately 35X, despite a year-to-date share price rally of around 50% [1] Market Structure Enhancements - **Tick Size Reduction**: Initiated a tick size reduction for the bottom half of the market, affecting around 300 stocks that contribute approximately 30% of total ADT. This led to a 22% reduction in bid-ask spreads and a 25% increase in ADT for these stocks [2] - **Weekly Option Expiry**: Expanded the number of stocks with weekly option expiry from 10 to 11, contributing about 21% to total stock options Average Daily Volume (ADV) [2] - **Future Enhancements**: Plans to further reduce spreads for the remaining stocks in mid-2026 and enhance intra-day margining setups [2] Investment Income Outlook - **Investment Income Forecast**: Management indicated a weaker outlook for investment income due to lower HIBOR rates and a reduction in the external portfolio to fund the purchase of headquarters. Investment income is expected to decline by approximately 17% and 11% year-over-year in 2025E and 2026E respectively [18] - **2H Investment Income**: Projected to be around HK$1.1 billion in 2H, down from HK$3.0 billion in 1H, with a modest recovery expected in 1H-2H 2026E [18] Revenue and Profit Projections - **Revenue Growth**: Total revenue is projected to grow from HK$22,374 million in 2024 to HK$29,117 million by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 18% excluding investment income [19] - **Earnings Per Share (EPS)**: EPS is expected to rise from HK$10.32 in 2025E to HK$13.41 in 2027E, reflecting a strong growth trajectory [19] - **Dividend Payout**: The dividend payout ratio is expected to remain around 90% with dividends per share increasing from HK$9.26 in 2025E to HK$12.07 in 2027E [19] Other Important Insights - **Market Trends**: The management believes that the weekly option expiry setup could be expanded to more stocks over time, and the Orion derivatives platform is expected to enhance trading hours and volumes by 2028 [18] - **RMB Counter**: Anticipated handover of the RMB counter to Southbound investors by the end of the year, which is expected to lower transaction costs for these investors [18] Conclusion - The Hong Kong Exchanges is positioned for continued growth with strategic enhancements in market structure and a strong earnings trajectory, despite challenges in investment income. The stock remains a buy with a favorable target price indicating significant upside potential.

Group 1 - The 14th "Shanghai Financial Talent" selection has commenced, with media evaluation involving 50 mainstream and professional financial journalists voting on candidates [1] - This year's selection features three awards: "Annual Person of the Shanghai International Financial Center Construction," "Leading Figures in Shanghai's Financial Industry," and "Innovative Figures in Shanghai's Financial Industry," with candidates required to be from licensed financial institutions and have worked full-time in Shanghai for at least two years [1][2] - The selection process includes self-nomination, committee nominations, media evaluation, online voting, and expert reviews, with results to be announced in September 2025 [3] Group 2 - A strong financial talent pool is identified as a key element for a financial powerhouse, with the revised 2024 "Shanghai International Financial Center Construction Regulations" emphasizing the need for policies that support financial talent development and evaluation [2] - Nearly 100 financial professionals have registered for this year's selection, showcasing a broad representation across traditional sectors like banking, securities, and insurance, as well as emerging fields such as green finance and financial information [2] - The candidates exhibit international diversity, including foreign financial professionals and those with extensive overseas experience, contributing to initiatives like the Belt and Road and cross-border financial infrastructure [2] Group 3 - The event is organized by several prominent institutions, including the China Economic Information Service and Xinhua News Agency, with support from various financial regulatory bodies and organizations [4] - The selection has been held for thirteen consecutive years, with over 200 financial talents recognized, enhancing Shanghai's international financial center's soft power and cultural atmosphere [3]

Market Trend - Prime Trading 在 Cboe Options Exchange 建立了 floor operation，表明在芝加哥拥有 177 年历史的面对面衍生品交易传统继续吸引投资 [1]

Company Overview - Pop Mart, a Chinese toymaker, reported a near-400% surge in net profit, driven by global demand for its LABUBU dolls [1][11] - The company’s adjusted net profit reached CNY4.71 billion, with revenue at CNY13.88 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 204.4% [3] Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Pop Mart's revenue from China was CNY8.28 billion, up 135.2%, while revenue from Asia-Pacific (excluding China) was CNY2.85 billion, rising 257.8% [4] - Revenue from the Americas surged to CNY2.26 billion, up 1,142.3%, and revenue from Europe and other regions rose 729.2% to CNY480 million [4] Product and Market Expansion - LABUBU generated revenue exceeding CNY4.8 billion, becoming one of the world's most popular IPs in the first half of 2025 [5] - The company plans to launch a miniature LABUBU that can be clipped onto phones [6] Strategic Initiatives - Pop Mart established four regional headquarters in April to enhance its globalization strategy [7] - The company opened its first stores in landmark locations such as Cambridge in the UK and Bali in Indonesia, with plans to expand into markets including the Middle East, South Asia, Central and South America, and Russia [8] Market Position - Pop Mart's market cap surpassed HKD400 billion, with shares rising more than 200% in the last year, making it worth more than Mattel, Hasbro, and Sanrio combined [2]

Financial Performance Highlights - HKEX achieved record half-yearly revenue and other income of HK$14.1 billion, a 33% year-over-year increase[9] - Profit attributable to shareholders reached HK$8.5 billion in 1H 2025, up 39% year-over-year[11] - Core business revenue increased by 34% year-over-year to HK$13.0 billion in 1H 2025[16] - EBITDA increased by 43% year-over-year to HK$10.9 billion in 1H 2025[16] - Headline Average Daily Turnover (ADT) increased by 118% year-over-year[12] Business Segment Performance - Stock Connect revenue reached a record high of HK$1.813 billion, a 51% year-over-year increase[38] - Northbound Stock Connect ADT increased by 32% year-over-year[12] - Southbound Stock Connect ADT nearly tripled compared to 1H 2024[12] - Derivatives Average Daily Volume (ADV) reached a record half-yearly high of 1.7 million contracts, up 11% year-over-year[12] - LME ADV increased by 3% year-over-year[12] Strategic Initiatives and Market Dynamics - IPO funds raised reached HK$109.4 billion, more than 8 times that of 1H24[38]

Hong Kong's stock exchange is estimated to post a record profit for the second straight quarter, buoyed by an initial public offering and trading boom. https://t.co/resLgmszw9 ...

Core Viewpoint - Cboe Global Markets has appointed Prashant Bhatia as Executive Vice President, Head of Enterprise Strategy & Corporate Development, effective September 2, 2025, to enhance its growth strategy and industry leadership [1][2]. Group 1: Appointment Details - Prashant Bhatia will collaborate with Cboe's executive leadership to refine the company's business strategy and identify growth opportunities [2]. - Craig Donohue, CEO of Cboe, emphasized Bhatia's valuable addition to the leadership team, highlighting his understanding of the competitive landscape and financial decision-making skills [2][3]. Group 2: Background of Prashant Bhatia - Bhatia has over 30 years of experience in the financial services sector, previously leading Enterprise Strategy & Corporate Development at TD Ameritrade for 11 years [3]. - He has been advising Cboe's management and working closely with its board of directors since December 2023 [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Cboe Global Markets is recognized as the world's leading derivatives and securities exchange network, providing trading solutions across multiple asset classes globally [4]. - The company is committed to building a trusted and inclusive global marketplace to support sustainable financial futures [4].

Core Points - Cboe Global Markets, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.72 per share for Q3 2025, marking a 14% increase from the previous quarter's dividend of $0.63 per share [1][4] - The dividend is scheduled to be paid on September 15, 2025, to stockholders of record as of August 29, 2025 [1] Company Overview - Cboe Global Markets is recognized as the world's leading derivatives and securities exchange network, providing advanced trading, clearing, and investment solutions globally [2] - The company offers trading solutions across multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives, and foreign exchange, in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific [2] - Cboe is committed to fostering a trusted and inclusive global marketplace that supports sustainable financial futures [2]

ASX is grappling with rising regulatory pressure and intensifying competition, as shares of Australia’s main exchange operator trail most of its global peers https://t.co/JtLS8URLlP ...