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Commentators remain broadly optimistic about the outlook, despite continuing tensions in the Middle East. Photo: Dickson Lee
Mergers & Acquisitions

Investment firms remain upbeat on deals despite geopolitical tensions, bankers say

Private equity, sovereign funds and family offices are sitting on record stocks of dry powder even as geopolitical risks cloud the global outlook.

IPO

Hong Kong’s IPO pace picks up as 2 mainland Chinese firms get listing approval

Banking & finance

HSBC Hong Kong CEO sees global tensions, China tech drawing wealth to city

China stock market

China’s market regulator vows more oversight to shore up confidence

Crackdown on fraud, stronger governance, higher dividends and more buy-backs will enhance appeal of Chinese assets, CSRC chief Wu Qing says.

Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, speaks at a press conference during the Fourth Session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 6, 2026. Photo: EPA
Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, speaks at a press conference during the Fourth Session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 6, 2026. Photo: EPA
Two Sessions 2026

China and Hong Kong should relax biotech listing rules, venture capitalist says

Foreign investors are returning to China’s healthcare sector, but IPO bottlenecks and takeover rules could deter deals, VC Nisa Leung says.

Venture capital market

China’s state-led venture capital revival risks losing momentum

Four government funds formed to back projects, but lack of funding diversity could risk stalling the industry again if policy shifts.

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Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)

More Hongkongers leave money in MPF pension plan amid market rally

Withdrawals by people leaving the city or retiring dropped last quarter, indicating expectations of greater gains, analysts say.

People walk through Central during the lunch hour on January 30, 2026. Photo: Karma Lo
People walk through Central during the lunch hour on January 30, 2026. Photo: Karma Lo
Banking & finance

How China’s sovereign debt is becoming a real alternative to US Treasuries

Beijing is now offering dollar-denominated sovereign bonds at rates matching equivalent US Treasuries – and investors are snapping them up.

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IPO

HSBC chairman floats ‘IPO connect’ for Hong Kong, Shenzhen listings

Modelled on Stock Connect, the proposal would give investors in the Greater Bay Area cross-border access to new share listings.

Mergers & Acquisitions

How AI ‘scare trade’ is sparking an M&A rush by traditional firms, start-ups

AI start-ups and legacy firms clash in capital markets, spurring M&A as the technology reshapes industries.

AI-related disruptions are projected to lead to more mergers and acquisitions, accelerating automation, especially in the software-as-a-service industry. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong property

Can HKIC fix Hong Kong’s 15 million square-foot office vacancy problem?

Attracting foreign institutions might prove difficult amid the commercial property sector’s elevated vacancy rates and uncertain recovery.

A general view of prime commercial buildings in Hong Kong’s Central district. Photo: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
A general view of prime commercial buildings in Hong Kong’s Central district. Photo: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Banking & finance

Hong Kong, Shanghai sign pact on digital trade finance, cross-border data link

‘This marks an important milestone in the collaboration on financial innovation between Shanghai and Hong Kong,’ HKMA’s Howard Lee says.

Artificial intelligence

Hong Kong-listed AI firm MiniMax’s revenue jumps 159% on strong demand

Shanghai-based company predicts revenue will double this year, based on strong user growth for its M2.5 model.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s new cash-for-residency scheme draws US$12 billion in first 2 years

Number of applicants surges in second year, with most of the deployed capital going into authorised funds, equities and debt securities.

More than 1,700 investors have completed their commitments and received formal approval from the Immigration Department. Photo: Jelly Tse
Banking & finance

HSBC signals intent to join Hong Kong’s stablecoin regime amid digital hub push

Georges Elhedery declined to confirm whether HSBC applied for stablecoin licence but indicated that discussions with regulator were ongoing.

HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery poses for a photograph in Hong Kong on February 26, 2026. Photo: Jonathan Wong
HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery poses for a photograph in Hong Kong on February 26, 2026. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong stock market

The big cornerstone comeback: what’s driving investors back to Hong Kong IPOs?

After four subdued years, the cornerstone investors that anchor Hong Kong’s IPO market are returning in force, reshaping the deal landscape.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong developer Sino Land posts steady profit amid market improvements

Chairman Daryl Ng highlights the city’s encouraging property sales performance in the second half of 2025.

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Hong Kong property

New World reports loss as deleveraging takes priority, dividend suspended

Developer keeps dividend suspended, rules out equity fundraising for now as Hong Kong sales rebound.

General view of New World Tower in Central. Photo: Jonathan Wong
General view of New World Tower in Central. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong banks’ collateral asset valuations to continue declining in 2026: S&P

The city’s commercial property market remains on a sustained downturn, as rents continue to fall and vacancy rates soar.

HKEX

HKEX to step up listings and reforms as profit rises 36% on turnover and IPOs

Net profit in 2025 rises to HK$17.75 billion (US$2.28 billion), beating market expectations.

Artificial intelligence

Nvidia reports record earnings quarter as China’s H200 sales freeze persists

Nvidia warns China market for powerful GPU remains uncertain, even as data centre revenue surges to new highs.

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The pipeline for Nvidia’s H200 chip remains dry in China. Photo: AFP
Mergers & Acquisitions

CK group to sell 100% stake in UK electricity operator for US$14.2 billion

Shares of group’s Hong Kong-listed entities rally on plan to sell UK Power Networks to French utility Engie.

Vehicles from electricity distributor UK Power Networks on an English street. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Vehicles from electricity distributor UK Power Networks on an English street. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Banking & finance

South Korean investors pour millions into Chinese AI and tech stocks

Despite a sizzling home market, the country’s investors are stepping up buying on the Hong Kong and mainland exchanges this year.

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Hong Kong seeks to hone edge as offshore yuan hub, digital-asset front runner

Market participants largely welcome Paul Chan’s renewed push to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

ByteDance

ByteDance valuation said to hit record US$550 billion in proposed equity sale

Pending sale by US private equity firm General Atlantic shows ByteDance’s valuation has surged from US$400 billion as recently as mid-2025.

The ByteDance logo is seen at the company’s office building in Shanghai, on July 4, 2023. Photo: Reuters
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