Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [3][8] Core Insights - The company reported a total revenue of HKD 21.85 billion for the first nine months of 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 37%. The main revenue reached HKD 20.44 billion, up 41% year-on-year, while net profit was HKD 13.42 billion, reflecting a 45% increase year-on-year [6][8] - The report highlights strong trading and settlement fee income driven by active market transactions, while investment income showed a temporary decline [2][8] - The report anticipates continued active trading in the Hong Kong stock market, supported by the return of quality Chinese assets and the extension of connectivity between mainland China and Hong Kong [8] Financial Data and Earnings Forecast - The company’s projected financials for 2023 to 2027 are as follows: - Revenue: HKD 20.52 billion (2023), HKD 22.37 billion (2024), HKD 28.27 billion (2025E), HKD 31.43 billion (2026E), HKD 32.44 billion (2027E) - Net profit: HKD 11.86 billion (2023), HKD 13.05 billion (2024), HKD 17.73 billion (2025E), HKD 19.76 billion (2026E), HKD 20.76 billion (2027E) - Earnings per share: HKD 9.36 (2023), HKD 10.29 (2024), HKD 13.98 (2025E), HKD 15.58 (2026E), HKD 16.37 (2027E) [7][9] - The report indicates a significant increase in trading fees and settlement fees, with trading fees reaching HKD 7.81 billion (39% of total revenue) and settlement fees at HKD 5.27 billion (26% of total revenue) for the first nine months of 2025 [8][9] Market Performance - The report notes that the Hong Kong stock market's IPO fundraising reached HKD 188.3 billion in the first nine months of 2025, which is more than three times the amount from the same period last year [8] - The average daily trading (ADT) for Hong Kong stocks was HKD 2.387 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 132%, with a record high of HKD 2.679 trillion in the third quarter of 2025 [8]

Group 1 - Goldman Sachs reports that Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (00388) has simplified trading and settlement fees, and the Securities and Futures Commission has recently expanded the holding limits for derivative products, indicating a step towards simplifying the platform and enhancing capital efficiency for market participants [1] - The firm has raised its earnings per share forecasts for Hong Kong Exchanges for this year, next year, and 2027 by 2%, 3%, and 4% respectively, and increased the target price from HKD 509 to HKD 524, which corresponds to a forecasted price-to-earnings ratio of 40 times for next year [1] - The firm predicts a downward adjustment in the expected yield from Hong Kong's margin balances to 1.97%, 1.39%, and 1.42% for this year, next year, and 2027 respectively, with average daily sales expected to be HKD 249 billion, HKD 275 billion, and HKD 299 billion for the respective years [1]