Hong Kong tops global IPO fundraising in Q1, raising more than HK$103 billion

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary said market momentum stayed strong in the first quarter of 2026, with average daily turnover exceeding HK$260 billion in the first two months of the year, up 17% year on year, according to ME News. Trading picked up further in March, when average daily turnover in the Hong Kong stock market rose above HK$300 billion, more than 8% higher than the same period last year. The article said investors are increasing allocations to Hong Kong, seeing it as both a dependable capital haven and a beneficiary of China's steady growth and a growing pipeline of high-quality listings that expand investment choices. As global competition in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence accelerates, the piece noted that large amounts of funding are needed for core breakthroughs, supply-chain development and broader commercial applications. Hong Kong's listing platform is playing a key role, with the IPO market maintaining last year's strong momentum. IPO proceeds in the first quarter surpassed HK$103 billion as of March 27, ranking first globally. Including follow-on offerings, total fundraising reached about HK$237 billion. More newly listed companies are from emerging sectors including AI, semiconductors, robotics, autonomous driving and biotechnology. More than 500 listing applications are currently in the pipeline, and a growing number of companies are treating Hong Kong as a major gateway for fundraising and international expansion. (Source: ChainCatcher)