Hang Seng Index

Hong Kong Stocks Rise on Thursday; Tsaker New Energy Soars

Hong Kong stocks closed higher on Thursday as investors looked ahead to next week's U.S. Federal Reserve meeting and welcomed a new agreement between Malaysian and Hong Kong regulators to strengthen cross-border capital market access.The Hang Seng Index gained 318.15 points, or 1.3%, to close at 25,210.81, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose 101.60 points, or 1.2%, to 8,352.67.Markets were supported by news that Malaysian and Hong Kong securities regulators signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate dual IPO listings and expand the range of investment products eligible under their mutual recognition of funds framework.Investors also awaited next week's Federal Reserve policy decision, with the central bank widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged, though markets continue to anticipate the possibility of a rate hike later this year.Technology stocks across Asia gained after Alphabet raised its capital spending plans and Tesla maintained its AI investment outlook, easing concerns over AI infrastructure demand.Among individual stocks, Tsaker New Energy Tech (HKG:1986) surged more than 20% after forecasting a sharp increase in first-half attributable profit.Keymed Biosciences (HKG:2162) gained over 2% after its experimental drug CM512 received breakthrough therapy designation in China for treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Hang SengFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCIHKG:0388

Hong Kong, Malaysia Expand Funds Recognition, Simplify Dual IPO Framework

Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission and the Securities Commission Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their mutual recognition of funds scheme and simplify the framework for dual initial public offerings, according to a Thursday statement.The agreement broadens the range of investment products eligible under the mutual recognition of funds scheme, while streamlining dual IPO listings to strengthen capital market connectivity between the two jurisdictions.The SFC said the enhanced framework will expand cross-border investment opportunities, improve market access and deepen regulatory cooperation.Separately, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKG:0388) added Bursa Malaysia Securities to its list of Recognized Stock Exchanges, facilitating cross-listings of equity securities between the two markets.

Market Chatter: Hong Kong IPOs to Raise HK$400 Billion in 2026, BDO Says

Hong Kong is on track to host 180 to 200 IPOs raising about HK$400 billion in 2026, up from the previous forecast of 150 listings raising HK$300 billion to HK$350 billion, The Standard reported, citing accounting firm BDO.The city has recorded about 100 listings raising HK$260 billion so far this year, including 16 IPOs that raised more than HK$60 billion in the first half of July, according to the report.BDO reportedly expects listing activity to remain strong in the second half, with momentum potentially carrying into 2027 as a sizable IPO pipeline and solid investor demand continue to support the market despite global uncertainties.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Hong Kong Stocks Gain at Open as Investors Weigh Earnings, Oil Prices

Hong Kong stocks opened higher on Thursday as investors balanced upbeat U.S. earnings against persistent geopolitical risks.The Hang Seng Index rose 0.3%, or 73.87 points, to 24,966.53, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index gained 0.2%, or 15.54 points, to 8,266.61.Wall Street ended mixed overnight as investors weighed Alphabet's quarterly results against concerns over higher capital spending on artificial intelligence.The Google parent posted record cloud revenue growth, but its increased investment plans kept the focus on the returns from AI spending.Brent crude remained near a six-week high after fresh U.S. and Iranian strikes heightened concerns over disruptions to energy shipments in the Middle East.

Hang SengShanghai Composite^SZSE

Affluent Hong Kong, Mainland Investors Lower Return Expectations, Broaden Portfolios: DBS Survey

Affluent investors in Hong Kong and mainland China lowered their 2026 annual return expectations to 7.9% and 8.1%, respectively, while shifting their focus toward long-term wealth growth, according to a Tuesday DBS survey.To achieve this, investors are broadening their portfolios. Stocks remained the top allocation at 41%, but alternative investments surged to 18% to become the second-largest asset class, alongside a growing appetite for exchange-traded funds over traditional mutual funds.The survey also highlighted rising artificial intelligence adoption for investment research and noted that 63% of respondents hold overseas assets, mainly in Hong Kong.

Asia Markets11d ago

Earnings, Crude Prices Roil Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets churned on Wednesday as markets digested rising crude prices, the unfolding earnings season, and tensions in the Middle East.Hong Kong and Tokyo finished in the red, while Shanghai inched up. Other regional exchanges were also mixed.Brent crude oil touched $95.27 a barrel during Asian market hours, up 4.7%.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher but waffled, and finished off 0.2% as traders mulled oil prices and earnings reports.The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 116.59 to 66,115.60, although gaining issues outnumbered losers 121 to 102.Leading the upside was advanced material maker Mitsui Kinzoku, up 7.4%, while J. Front Retailing declined 5.7%.In economic news, Japan's international exports rose 19.3% on the year in June, while imports rose 25.4%, reported the Ministry of Finance.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower and could not recover, closing down 1% on softness in gaming and internet-platform shares.The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 239.63 to 24,892.66, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 50 to 38. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 3% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 1.2%.Leading the upside was Xinyi Solar, gaining 6.4%, while internet services and video game maker Netease fell 7.4%. Gaming giant Tencent declined 7%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.1% to 3,867.03.On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI rose 0.7%; the Taiwan TWSE advanced 1.3%; the Australian ASX 200 gained 0.3%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 1.2%, and the Thai Set declined 0.8%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 0.9%.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index traded evenly on the day.In other news, Bank Indonesia held its key interest rates unchanged after a policy session.

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite

Hang SengHKG:3308HKG:3813HKG:6110SHE:300308

Hong Kong Stocks Close Lower; Topsports, Pou Sheng Slide on Nike Move

Hong Kong stocks ended lower Wednesday as investors awaited earnings from major U.S. technology companies, while renewed trade concerns weighed on sentiment.The Hang Seng Index fell 239.63 points, or 1%, to close at 24,892.66, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index lost 109.61 points, or 1.3%, to finish at 8,251.07.Investors looked ahead to quarterly results from Alphabet and Tesla, with the reports expected to test whether AI-driven valuations can withstand heightened scrutiny after recent volatility in global technology stocks.Markets also monitored U.S. trade policy after President Donald Trump said imported generic drugs would remain tariff-free for two years from Aug. 1 before facing a 100% tariff for one year and a 200% tariff thereafter.In corporate news, Topsports International (HKG:6110) fell over 24%, and Pou Sheng International (HKG:3813) lost nearly 9% after reports that Nike will stop selling its products online through key Chinese retailers from January, shifting instead to its branded storefronts.Meanwhile, Zhongji Innolight (HKG:3308, SHE:300308) is seeking to raise up to HK$55.1 billion in Hong Kong's largest share sale since Alibaba's 2019 listing.

ASX 200Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite^SZSE

Asia-Pacific Insurers Face Heightened Risks, Increasing Costs, S&P Says

Asia-Pacific insurers faced increasingly complex challenges, prompting adjustments in their investments and asset-liability management, S&P Global Ratings said on Wednesday.Costs were rising for insurers amid geopolitical and market risk, regulatory shifts, and cybersecurity concerns, S&P said.Insurers needed to adopt more robust governance and digital investment amid heightened risks from AI adoption and budding cyber risks, analyst Craig Bennett said.The analyst expected the region's insurers to remain resilient against natural disasters, supported by stronger risk management and capital management.

Hong Kong Court Rejects Wahaha Heiress' Appeal Over $1.8 Billion Assets

Hong Kong's Court of Appeal dismissed a renewed bid by the daughter of late Wahaha Group founder Zong Qinghou to challenge orders preserving about $1.8 billion in assets held in an HSBC (HKG:0005) account, according to a judgment released on Tuesday.The court rejected Kelly Zong's application for leave to appeal, or alternatively for more time to file an appeal, against a High Court decision granting a preservation order over the assets and an ancillary disclosure order.It also refused the defendants' request to stay parts of the disclosure order and ordered them to pay the plaintiffs HK$250,000 in legal costs.The dispute stems from claims by three plaintiffs, identified in the judgment as Zong Qinghou's children by another mother, who allege the assets are held on trust for their benefit.They are pursuing proceedings in Hangzhou seeking to enforce alleged trust and fiduciary obligations over the HSBC account assets, while Kelly Zong disputes the validity of those claims and denies wrongdoing.

Hang SengHKG:0005

Market Chatter: GigaAI Targets Hong Kong IPO in 2026

Beijing-based startup Jijia Vision, also known as GigaAI, is planning an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as soon as this year, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday, citing founder and CEO Huang Guan on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.The Chinese company is also nearing completion of a funding round that would value it at $3 billion, which Huang said would make it China's most valuable startup focused on AI world models, according to the report.Established in 2023, GigaAI builds world models for applications across robotics, video games and self-driving cars, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Hong Kong Stocks Slip at Open

Hong Kong stocks opened lower on Wednesday even as regional equities advanced after a tech-led rebound on Wall Street eased concerns over rising oil prices.The Hang Seng Index fell 0.6%, or 153.39 points, to 24,978.90, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index lost 0.9%, or 73.49 points, to 8,287.19.Asian markets climbed after Wall Street snapped a three-day losing streak as semiconductor stocks rebounded, supported by strong South Korean chip export data and better-than-expected Taiwanese export orders.Oil prices remained elevated after Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis threatened attacks on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea.

Market Chatter: US-based Axiom Biosciences Plans Hong Kong IPO in 2027

U.S. biotech firm Axiom Biosciences is planning a Hong Kong initial public offering in 2027, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday, citing CEO Remo Moomiaie-Qajar.The IPO proceeds will fund clinical trials of Axiom's stem cell therapy for neurological disorders and future clinical development in China. The company is also targeting a secondary U.S. listing at a later stage, Bloomberg reported.Backed by Asian institutional investors, Axiom is co-developing its lead drug with a South Korean partner and is in talks with several Chinese companies on potential collaborations, the report said.Axiom Biosciences did not immediately respond to' request for comment.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

US Markets12d ago

Hong Kong's Headline Inflation Rate Unchanged at 2.0% in June

Hong Kong's composite consumer price index rose 2.0% year over year in June, unchanged from May, according to data from the Census and Statistics Department released Tuesday.By segment, electricity, gas and water prices increased 9.2% annually in June, while transport jumped 5.3% and miscellaneous services were up 5.2%. The price tags of miscellaneous goods, housing, meals out and takeaway food, clothing and footwear, and alcoholic drinks and tobacco also ticked up. On the other hand, the durable goods and basic food components of the composite CPI were down.Netting out the effects of all government one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1.9%, the same as in May, driven primarily by price increases of fuel-related items.On a seasonally adjusted month-over-month basis, the average monthly increase in the composite CPI for the three months through June was 0.1%, unchanged from the previous three-month period ended May."Looking ahead, consumer price inflation is expected to rise in the coming months as the earlier surges in international oil prices continue to feed through. The recent moderation in international oil prices from previous peaks may provide some relief; however, the renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle East warrants close monitoring," a government spokesman said.Hong Kong is banking on inflation to stay at "a moderate level" amid expectations of price pressures in other segments to be "largely contained," the spokesman added.

International12d ago

Hong Kong's Headline Inflation Rises 2.0% in June

Hong Kong's composite consumer price index rose 2.0% year over year in June, according to data from the Census and Statistics Department released Tuesday.The reading remained constant, matching last month's 2.0% expansion.Netting out the effects of all government one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate edged up 1.9% year over year, the same as in May, driven primarily by price increases of fuel-related items.Relatively modest price pressures in other components offset the overall rise, the C&SD said.On a seasonally adjusted month-over-month basis, the average monthly increase in the composite CPI for the three months through June was 0.1%, unchanged from the previous three-month period ending in May.

Hang SengHKG:0522HKG:6951SHE:300408

Asia12d ago

Hong Kong Stocks Edge Lower on Middle East Uncertainty; Chaozhou Three-Circle Surges

Hong Kong stocks closed slightly lower Tuesday as investors remained cautious over developments in the Middle East and awaited Hong Kong's inflation data due later in the day.The Hang Seng Index slipped 10.76 points to 25,132.29, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index fell 21.22 points, or 0.3%, to 8,360.68.Investor sentiment stayed subdued as markets monitored the conflict in the Middle East. Despite a pullback in oil prices, concerns that the conflict could disrupt energy supplies and fuel inflation kept investors cautious.Wall Street ended lower overnight as investors tracked the U.S.-Iran conflict and looked ahead to earnings from major technology companies.Among individual stocks, Chaozhou Three-Circle (HKG:6951, SHE:300408) jumped nearly 12% after forecasting up to a 65% increase in first-half attributable profit.ASMPT (HKG:0522) rose more than 7% after appointing Bassel Haddad as group chief executive officer and executive director, effective Aug. 11.

Asia12d ago

Hong Kong, Laos Sign MoU on Gold Market Cooperation

Hong Kong and Laos agreed to cooperate in the gold market by establishing a corridor to facilitate gold flows, according to a Monday press release.The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration in the gold market, including improving access for Lao gold producers to Hong Kong's refining network and encouraging the use of internationally recognized gold bars for trading in Hong Kong.The agreement also covers talent development and fintech collaboration, including tokenization solutions, the release said.

Asia12d ago

Hong Kong Stocks Little Changed at Open as Middle East Risks Linger

Hong Kong stocks were little changed at Tuesday's open as higher oil prices and persistent tensions in the Middle East kept investors cautious.The Hang Seng Index edged up 7.49 points to 25,150.54, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index slipped 0.71 points to 8,381.19.Wall Street closed lower overnight as investors monitored developments in the U.S.-Iran conflict while awaiting earnings from major technology companies, including Alphabet and Intel.Higher crude prices also weighed on sentiment as they renewed concerns about inflation.Markets are also looking ahead to next week's U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting for fresh clues on the interest rate outlook.