Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited reported record first-quarter revenue and profit on Wednesday, as trading turnover, IPO activity and derivatives-related businesses all stayed strong.
HKEX said Hong Kong maintained its position as the world’s leading IPO venue during the quarter, with a pipeline of companies continuing to support the exchange’s role as a fundraising platform for growth sectors.
Secondary market activity accelerated from an already strong 2025. The company said there were 20 trading days where turnover exceeded HK$300 billion, with participation from both Chinese Mainland and international investors. Northbound Stock Connect average daily turnover hit a fresh quarterly record.
LME and clearing
Beyond equities, the London Metal Exchange posted record chargeable trading volumes for the quarter, while OTC Clear achieved a record quarter in clearing volume as Swap Connect maintained its growth momentum. Data and connectivity businesses also contributed. The quarter saw growth across multiple business segments rather than only in equity trading.
Ahead of the results, MarketWatch cited Visible Alpha consensus estimates showing analysts expected a 13% rise in first-quarter net profit to HK$4.61 billion and a 10% increase in revenue to HK$7.55 billion.
HKEX paired the results with a list of strategic initiatives, including the next phase of minimum spreads reduction and a consultation paper on listing framework competitiveness. The exchange also announced new stock option classes, new indices and memorandums of understanding with B3 in Brazil and Bursa Malaysia.
The company is implementing market-structure changes and expanding its product set, with further initiatives planned through the rest of 2026.
