Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) announced record-breaking results for the first half of 2026, with profits surging 24% year-on-year to nearly HK$10.6 billion. This exceeded analysts' estimates of HK$10.2 billion and surpassed the previous year's interim earnings of HK$8.52 billion. Revenues and other income also saw a significant increase, rising 19% to HK$16.7 billion during the January-to-June period. Core business revenues contributed substantially, growing 19% to almost HK$15.5 billion, attributed to record volumes in the cash, derivatives, and commodities markets. HKEX Chief Executive Bonnie Chan highlighted robust market sentiment and strong fundraising demand from technology and AI-related companies as key drivers for these exceptional results.
The strong performance was further underscored by Hong Kong's position as the second globally for initial public offering (IPO) activities, raising a total of HK$212.4 billion in the first half, a substantial 94% increase year-on-year. This capital was secured through 87 new listings, doubling the number from the previous year. Average daily trading turnover in the cash market reached a record HK$283 billion, an 18% increase compared to the same period last year.
For the second quarter alone, HKEX's profits rose 21% year-on-year to HK$5.38 billion, slightly higher than the first quarter's results. Revenues and other incomes for April to June increased 18% from a year ago to nearly HK$8.5 billion. The average daily trading turnover in the second quarter also hit a record high at HK$289.5 billion, up 22% year-on-year. The exchange plans to pay an interim dividend of HK$7.43 per share, a 24% increase from HK$6 per share last year. Despite global macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, CEO Bonnie Chan expressed optimism about Hong Kong's long-term opportunity as a leading international financial center, connecting global capital with China's innovation economy and Asia's growth prospects.
