2025 Interim Results Analyst Presentation Where this document refers to the trading of securities through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and/or Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect (together, the "Stock Connect" programs), the applicable SEHK rules and Hong Kong and Mainland China regulations shall apply. Currently, access to northbound trading is only available to intermediaries licensed or regulated in Hong Kong; southbound trading is only available to intermediaries licensed or regulated in Mainland Ch ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Hong Kong's financial and property markets - **Current Status**: Hong Kong has shown a remarkable recovery in capital markets, with the Hang Seng Index up 28% year-to-date (YTD) [2][11]. Core Insights - **Market Recovery**: The capital markets are booming, and there is a return of confidence in major sectors such as financials, property, and consumer [3][11]. - **Property Sector**: Property sales in the first half of 2025 were the highest since the second half of 2021, indicating a potential recovery in the real estate market [4][11]. - **Stablecoin Licensing**: A new licensing regime for stablecoin issuers starting August 1, 2025, is expected to position Hong Kong as a global hub for digital asset investment [5][30]. - **Investment Inflows**: Mainland Chinese investors have significantly increased their investments in Hong Kong stocks, with USD103 billion purchased YTD, surpassing previous annual totals [34][36]. Economic Indicators - **GDP Growth**: GDP growth is projected to soften to 1.9% for 2025, influenced by global trade uncertainties and sluggish domestic demand [14][11]. - **Retail Sales**: Retail sales saw a rebound in May 2025 after a year of contraction, with expectations of a gradual recovery [16][75]. - **Unemployment Rate**: The unemployment rate has increased to 3.5%, with sectors like retail and construction facing higher rates [18][11]. Property Market Dynamics - **Residential Market**: Housing prices are expected to grow by 2% in 2025 and 3% in 2026, with primary transaction volumes projected to improve by 7% year-over-year [70][11]. - **Office Market**: Despite challenges, recent leasing activity in the office sector has shown positive surprises, indicating potential stabilization [76][11]. Financial Sector Insights - **Banking Sector**: The Hong Kong banking sector has seen a 6.7% growth in deposits YTD, indicating strong liquidity [53][11]. - **Interest Rates**: The one-month Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate (HIBOR) has fallen significantly, which could impact net interest margins for banks [59][11]. - **RMB Appreciation**: A stronger RMB could benefit Hong Kong financials by increasing the RMB deposit base and encouraging cross-border investments [66][11]. Future Opportunities - **Green Development**: Hong Kong is leading in green bond issuance in Asia, with significant government initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 [29][80]. - **Connect Programs**: Hong Kong continues to enhance its role as a connector for capital flows between mainland China and the global market, with various Connect programs facilitating investment [95][98]. Additional Noteworthy Points - **Wealth Management**: Hong Kong's asset and wealth management industry has seen a 13% increase in assets under management (AUM), reaching approximately HKD34 trillion [98][11]. - **IPO Market**: The IPO market in Hong Kong has rebounded, raising HKD107 billion in the first half of 2025, a 705% increase from the same period in 2024 [50][11]. This summary encapsulates the key insights and data points from the conference call, highlighting the recovery and future potential of Hong Kong's financial and property markets.