HKEX Reports Record First-Half Profit as Trading Volumes Surge | LeapRate
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) has posted record results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, with profit attributable to shareholders rising 24.1 percent year-on-year to HK$10.57 billion, ahead of market expectations of HK$10.15 billion.
Revenue and other income also reached a half-year high of HK$16.7 billion, up 18.7 percent from the same period last year and above forecasts of HK$16.15 billion. The board declared an interim dividend of HK$7.43 per share, a 24 percent increase from HK$6.00 a year earlier.
Core business revenue climbed 19.5 percent to HK$15.47 billion, driven by record trading volumes across the cash, derivatives and commodities markets. Net investment income from corporate funds rose 3.7 percent to HK$1.08 billion, helped by a non-recurring gain of roughly HK$298 million tied to unlisted equity valuations, though this was partly offset by a sharp drop in fair value gains from externally managed funds. On a non-HKFRS basis, EBITDA rose 22.6 percent to HK$13.41 billion, with margins improving to 81 percent.
Second-quarter results were similarly strong, with profit of HK$5.38 billion, up 21 percent year-on-year, marking a quarterly record.
Group CEO Bonnie Chan attributed the performance to improved market sentiment, strong financing demand from technology and AI-related companies, and active participation from both domestic and international investors. She noted that Stock Connect turnover and London Metal Exchange volumes also hit half-year records.
HKEX said it continued to advance market reforms during the period, including a consultation on shortening the settlement cycle, simplifying board lot sizes, and expanding its derivatives and fixed income product offerings.
