Hong Kong’s IPO haul more than doubles to HK$388b in first 9 months: Paul Chan

Funds raised through initial public offerings in Hong Kong more than doubled year on year to over HK$388 billion (US$49.4 billion) in the first nine months of 2026, already surpassing the total amount for the whole of last year, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.

Adding to the positive outlook, Clara Chan Ka-chai, CEO of the government-owned Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC), noted on Sunday that more than 30 of its portfolio firms were preparing to apply for Hong Kong listings this year.

Paul Chan also revealed in his weekly blog that the average daily turnover on Hong Kong’s stock market from January to September stood at HK$272.9 billion, representing 6.4 per cent year-on-year growth.

“The yields of long-term US bonds have risen to a 24-year high, which has heightened investor concerns over global economic prospects and inevitably dampened recent sentiment in the Hong Kong stock market,” he said.

“Nevertheless, short-term market volatility will not derail the broader trend of global asset allocation and supply chain restructuring.”

Paul Chan cited Middle East interest in the Hong Kong market, saying capital from the region in the city’s new listings had increased significantly, with portfolios extending from property to technology, logistics and capital markets.

“[Middle Eastern] business sectors are actively exploring investments in warehousing and logistics. With its extensive expertise in this area, Hong Kong stands out as one of their preferred partners for prospective collaboration.”

Separately, HKIC’s Clara Chan told a radio show on Sunday that 11 out of its more than 200 portfolio companies had listed in Hong Kong, while more than 30 would apply for initial public offerings (IPOs) this year.

Established in 2022 to manage HK$62 billion in government funds, HKIC is tasked with both achieving reasonable investment returns and fuelling the growth of companies of strategic importance.

In 2025, the company recorded HK$6.46 billion in investment income, up 175 per cent year on year. It represented a net internal rate of return, or IRR, of 14 per cent.

The company had been criticised for lack of transparency in its financial statements, as it did not offer a breakdown of the sources of its investment income.

Clara Chan, whose appointment for the post was extended for three years on Friday, explained that the figure was composed of equity and credits, both realised and unrealised.

“Beyond simple figures, what is more important is … whether our portfolio companies can achieve technological breakthroughs and bring momentum to Hong Kong’s long-term development in particular fields,” she said.

“For us, the socioeconomic benefit in the long run is more important than the financial return.”

The company’s annual report also outlines plans to launch a venture capital fund denominated in offshore yuan, as Hong Kong pushes to expand the use of the Chinese currency and consolidate its status as a global offshore yuan hub.

Clara Chan expressed confidence in the project, saying that the company had played a vital role in guiding market funds to targeted areas, as for every Hong Kong dollar it committed could leverage HK$8 of investment from the private sector.

She also revealed on Sunday that the company would announce the formal launch of its internship programme in the coming week as part of its talent initiatives.

According to her, the placement programme would be divided into summer and winter cohorts each year, with each batch hiring about 10 students.

She added that students at local universities would be prioritised.

“We acknowledge that young people play a significant part in innovation and technology, as well as Hong Kong’s development,” she told a radio show.

“We hope that young people can take part in the growth of HKIC, and meanwhile, we hope to understand the world more rapidly and accurately through the lens of them.”

In his blog, minister Paul Chan also touched on the robust performance of the city’s tourism sector during China’s National Day “golden week”.

Mainland Chinese residents can enjoy a seven-day holiday from October 1 to 7 to celebrate the National Day.

The city has welcomed over 732,000 mainland visitors in the first three days of the period, representing an 8.4 per cent growth year on year.

“In fact, other than mainland visitors, we also saw considerable growth in the number of tourists from Europe, America and emerging markets,” he said.