HKEX first-half internet benefit rises 31%, CEO is ‘reasonably positive’ about medium time period outlook

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing reported a 31% soar in internet benefit for the primary six months of the yr, in comparison to a yr in the past — and its CEO has expressed optimism in regards to the medium-term outlook.

The robust numbers are attributed to the HKEX’s “diversification clear of simply the money industry” and the “super” expansion of its ETF franchise, CEO Nicolas Aguzin informed CNBC’s Emily Tan on Wednesday. He added that the alternate additionally benefited from the rise in rates of interest.

HKEX’s half-year internet benefit jumped to six.31 billion Hong Kong greenbacks ($806.6 million) from HK$4.84 billion a yr in the past, boosted by means of the “tough expansion” in its derivatives marketplace, the alternate mentioned in its press liberate.

Earnings from its core companies rose to HK$9.73 billion within the January to June length, up 5% year-on-year.

Aguzin said that traders are in an “setting of warning” at this time, with geopolitics being one of the vital components. Nonetheless, he expressed optimism for the alternate’s close to time period outlook, on hopes of decrease inflation numbers and further stimulus from China.

“We are reasonably positive in regards to the medium time period for the reason that we now have noticed slightly bit extra predictability when it comes to the path of inflation, [with] inflation coming down,” he mentioned, including he is longing for “further stimulus that has been introduced from the mainland.”

China swiftly reduce charges this week in a bid to prop up the flailing financial system. The highest management has pledged stimulus measures to improve particular sectors, advertise investments and spice up shopper self assurance.

In the meantime, there are indicators that international inflation is in spite of everything coming down. The U.S. shopper worth index climbed 3.2% from a yr in the past in July, an indication that inflation has misplaced no less than a few of its grip at the U.S. financial system.

When requested about Hong Kong’s standing as a capital elevating hub when it comes to the scores for its IPOs, Aguzin mentioned: “We are having a look at the long run and alternative.”

Hong Kong’s inventory marketplace was once a few of the worst-performing in 2022, shedding 15% that yr.

“We are already a market for new financial system [companies], there is over 110 firms at this time which might be ready to visit the marketplace, and they are looking forward to … the precise marketplace sentiment so as to do this,” the CEO mentioned.