HKEX profit hits record as Hong Kong IPOs surge

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing reported record first-half profit on Wednesday, helped by stronger initial public offering demand from technology and artificial intelligence companies.

HKEX said attributable profit rose 24 percent from a year earlier to HK$10.6 billion. Core revenue increased 19 percent to HK$15.5 billion, which the company said reflected record volumes across cash, derivatives and commodities markets.

The exchange operator said Hong Kong had 87 new listings in the first half of 2026, raising HK$212.4 billion, or about US$27 billion. That was a 94 percent increase from the same period last year.

Chief executive Bonnie Chan said the performance was supported by market sentiment, fundraising demand from technology and AI-related companies, and participation from mainland Chinese and international investors.

HKEX announced earlier in the week that Chan's contract had been renewed for another three-year term, until the end of February 2030.

Accounting firms KPMG and PwC said Hong Kong's IPO market had raised about HK$210 billion as of June, its strongest first-half result in five years.