Bonnie Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX), reported to CNBC that more than 100 companies have gone public in 2026, raising over $40 billion, which already exceeds the total amount raised in 2025. This surge is attributed not only to the technology sector, particularly AI, but also to a well-diversified pipeline that includes biotechnology, mining, and consumer companies.
Chan emphasized the exchange's record half-yearly profits, with net profit increasing by 24% year-on-year to 10.57 billion Hong Kong dollars ($1.35 billion), surpassing analysts' expectations. The exchange has also seen robust follow-on offerings, totaling over $50 billion year-to-date.
Investor interest remains strong, with average daily turnover reaching HK$280 billion, up from HK$250 billion for the entire year of 2025. Chan noted that this interest is coming from a variety of sources, including international institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds, indicating a healthy influx of capital into the Hong Kong market.
She also highlighted stable Southbound trading, which involves capital flows from Mainland China, and an increase in participation from global institutional investors and regional retail investors