Market Chatter: Shein Gets Hong Kong Listing Committee Approval for IPO
Xu Liang, Head of Operations at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), has departed. He previously served as Co-Head of Operations for Asia Pacific at Goldman Sachs.
Prior to joining the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), Xu Liang had a nearly 20-year career at Goldman Sachs, with professional experience across the United States, mainland China, and Hong Kong.
Express News | Hong Kong Exchange supports payment of stamp duty and transaction-related fees in Renminbi
State Administration of Foreign Exchange: Strive to issue a new round of QDII quotas as soon as possible to support genuine and compliant overseas securities investment demand.
Xiao Sheng, Director General of the Capital Account Management Department at the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that since 2026, in response to new developments and evolving conditions, SAFE has conducted extensive research into the needs of market participants—including banks and enterprises—and, in alignment with the high-level opening-up of the capital account, plans to introduce another package of policy measures to further enhance the facilitation of cross-border investment and financing. He also disclosed that SAFE is currently expediting preparatory work to issue a new round of Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) quotas as soon as possible, thereby better supporting and serving domestic residents’ legitimate and compliant demand for overseas securities investments.
HKEX: Average daily trading turnover in the Hong Kong market reached HK$283 billion in the first half of the year, with IPO fundraising up 92.1% year-on-year.
In the first half of 2026, the Hong Kong market continued its strong growth, with active trading in equities, derivatives, and the Stock Connect programs linking Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.
Li Xiaojia: AI Addresses the Cost Challenges of Micro and Small Investments; Drip Capital Launches New Model 3.0 on August 3
Reflecting on the exploration journey, Li Xiaojia disclosed that Drip Irrigation Through has already invested RMB 4.4 billion of its own funds to validate its business model, demonstrating that the non-equity, non-debt, highly diversified joint operation contract model is fully viable and capable of effectively identifying risks.
It has been reported that the UK will temporarily ease audit requirements for Chinese companies seeking listings in London starting from September.
According to foreign media reports, amid increasing competition from Hong Kong in the IPO market, the UK has temporarily relaxed audit standards for Chinese companies seeking listings in London, effective September. The reports indicate that the UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) announced that, as of September 1, it will temporarily permit audits of China-incorporated entities issuing Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) on the Shanghai/Shenzhen Stock Exchange Connect segment of the London Stock Exchange to be conducted under Chinese auditing standards. This move stems from the UK government’s request to amend rules governing third-country audit firms in an effort to attract more Chinese enterprises to raise capital in London, despite the FRC having previously stated during 2021–2022 that China’s auditing standards were not equivalent to international standards.
Goldman Sachs expects HKEX to report a 9% increase in second-quarter earnings and reiterates its 'Buy' rating.
Goldman Sachs published a research report noting that Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX, 00388.HK) has seen its share price decline by 5% year-to-date (as of July 14), broadly in line with the Hang Seng Index’s 6% drop—despite record-breaking average daily market turnover during this period. The firm believes this reflects investor concerns over the sustainability of such elevated trading activity, as the current cycle of rising average daily turnover has already lasted more than 20 months, whereas previous cycles typically extended just slightly beyond 12 months. Nevertheless, the firm remains optimistic about multiple drivers supporting higher average daily turnover and revenue growth for HKEX in the second half of the year, including a robust IPO pipeline and reduced drag from large internet companies.
UBS Group: Downgrades HKEX (0388) target price to HK$436, maintains 'Neutral' rating
The bank forecasts second-quarter net profit after tax and revenue of HK$4.9 billion and HK$7.9 billion, respectively—5% and 4% above market expectations, representing year-over-year growth of 10% and 9%, but down 6% and 4% quarter-over-quarter. Investment income is expected to reach HK$945 million, declining both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter, primarily due to the decline in the six-month rolling HIBOR.
Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council: No widespread serious issues have been identified in IPO audits so far.
The Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) does not rely solely on a single letter, but rather continuously monitors how audit firms handle newly accepted engagements through routine inspections (file reviews), while also enhancing its post-engagement coverage of IPO-related work. No large-scale or serious issues have been identified to date.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX, stock code: 00388.HK) has added 18 new weekly and monthly stock option classes.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX, stock code: 00388.HK) announced that it will launch 18 new weekly and monthly equity options classes in phases on August 10, 17, and 31, 2026. The six equity options classes commencing trading on August 10 include: MINIMAX-W (00100.HK), ZTE Corporation (00763.HK), Zhipu AI (02513.HK), Kingsoft Cloud (03896.HK), Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (06869.HK), and Ubtech Robotics (09880.HK). The six equity options classes commencing trading on August 17 include: Shandong Gold
HKEX (00388.HK) June Update: Heightened Trading Activity Across Multiple Markets and Expansion of Hong Kong IPOs Set to Drive Strong Q2 Earnings Growth
Event Description: In June, the Hong Kong stock market experienced overall volatility, while trading activity in securities listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange remained robust, suggesting that earnings are likely to continue growing. Event Commentary – Business Segments: 1) Cash Market: The Hong Kong equity market was generally volatile, with average daily turnover (ADT) in Hong Kong-listed stocks and Northbound trading remaining
Hong Kong Exchange (0388) appoints new members to the Listing Committee and the Listing Review Committee
On July 10, Hong Kong Exchange (00388) announced the appointments of new members to its Listing Committee and Listing Review Committee, effective immediately.
Major Brokerage Cuts HKEX (0388.HK) Target Price to HK$502, Maintains 'Buy' Rating
HSBC Research published a report stating that market concerns over regulatory risks facing Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX, 00388.HK) have likely already been largely priced into its share price, and believes the actual impact on its operations will be limited. The firm identifies four key factors supporting HKEX’s potential to outperform the broader market: higher-than-expected average daily trading volumes and IPO activity, rising revenues from Stock Connect programs (Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connects), progress in developing its Fixed Income and Currencies (FIC) ecosystem, and continued expansion of products and infrastructure despite recent regulatory tightening. HSBC has raised its earnings forecasts for HKEX by 1.3% to 5.1% for the years 2026 to 2028, maintains its 'Buy' rating, although regulatory uncertainties persist.
JPMorgan (JPM.US) has hired two new bankers to expand its Hong Kong IPO business team.
JPMorgan (JPM.US) has hired two bankers qualified to serve as principal staff for sponsors, further strengthening its position in Hong Kong’s IPO market. Benjamin Seto, formerly a director at Citi, and Gary Lam, previously an executive director at China Merchants Securities, have joined JPMorgan as executive directors, reporting to Bai Sijia, Head of Hong Kong IPO and Corporate Finance at JPMorgan. JPMorgan has been seeking to expand its Hong Kong investment banking team and had previously attempted to hire Serena Yang from China Galaxy Securities (06881.HK) as Head of Greater China Consumer & Retail Investment Banking, though the effort was unsuccessful.
JPMorgan and Citi bankers are reported to join the Listing Committee of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX, stock code: 00388.HK).
Citing sources, Bloomberg reported that Nelly Pai, Head of IPO and Corporate Finance for JPMorgan in Hong Kong, and Alexander Schrantz, Managing Director at Citi, have both been nominated as members of the Listing Committee of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX, 00388.HK), amid heightened scrutiny by Hong Kong regulators over IPO quality. The two are set to replace Guo Yanxin of HSBC and Terence Keyes of Morgan Stanley, whose six-year terms have expired. Additionally, Choi Chung-fai, Senior Executive Director of the Intermediaries Supervision Department at the Securities and Futures Commission, will also join the committee. HKEX declined to comment on
Hong Kong Stock Market Concept Tracker | Sci-Tech Innovation, International, and Wealth Management Businesses All Gain Momentum! Brokerage Firms’ H1 2026 Earnings Surge Amid Divergence, Creating Opportunities (Including Related Concept Stocks)
The brokerage sector is currently at an inflection point where strong market expectations clash with elevated valuation levels.
HKEX (00388.HK) will simultaneously launch weekly and monthly options on Luxshare Precision (02475.HK) tomorrow.
Luxshare Precision Industry (02475.HK), a major player in Apple's supply chain, will make its debut listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) tomorrow (the 9th). HKEX (00388.HK) announced it will launch weekly and monthly options on Luxshare Precision shares on the same day, offering investors additional trading choices. HKEX has notified issuers that derivative warrants linked to Luxshare Precision shares may be listed on the same day as the shares' listing, and the shares will also be added to the list of designated securities eligible for short selling on that day.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX, 00388.HK) is expected to launch its Integrated Fund Platform along with platform and agent services in the second half of the year.
In response to a question raised in the Legislative Council, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui disclosed that the integrated fund platform established by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX: 00388.HK) has been well received by the fund industry since its launch. As of the end of May this year, it has attracted participation from 55 financial institutions, including fund managers, distributors, and registered agents. The platform is expected to roll out its 'Platform and Agent Services' in the second half of this year, expanding its functionality to include agent services and facilitating payment and settlement processes to enhance market efficiency and reduce transaction costs. He also noted that since the implementation of the enhanced measures under Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect 2.0 in February 2024, mainland investors have been allocating capital to wealth management products in Hong Kong.
Major Brokerage: Bank of America Securities Lowers HKEX (0388.HK) Target Price to HK$500, Citing Strong H1 IPO Activity but Lack of Blockbuster Listings
Bank of America Securities published a report stating that Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX, 00388.HK) will announce its first-half 2026 results in mid-August. Net profit is expected to reach HK$10.3 billion, an increase of 21% year-over-year. Average daily trading turnover in the second quarter hit a record high of HK$289 billion, up from HK$277 billion in the first quarter of this year and HK$238 billion in the second quarter of last year, driving strong growth in trading and clearing fee revenues for both the second quarter and the first half of the year. The only segment likely to see a sequential decline in the second quarter is HKEX’s interest income, although this impact may be partially offset by higher HIBOR rates. The report also noted that HKEX’s IPO and non-IPO fundraising volumes in the first half of the year...