Hong Kong's IPO market has made a stunning comeback in 2025, proving that even after a chilly two-year downturn due to regulatory uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the city is ready to shine again. With a record-breaking $4.6 billion IPO from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) – the world’s leading EV battery maker – a dynamic blend of tech innovation and global finance is unfolding. 🚀
Data from LSEG reveals that this year, Hong Kong raised an impressive $7.73 billion through new listings and secondary offerings, a sixfold increase from last year! This surge brings back memories of when the city topped global fundraising charts, amassing a cumulative $303 billion over the past decade and outpacing giants like NASDAQ and NYSE.
Policy momentum has been a key driver in this revival. In 2024, China's securities regulator introduced several measures – from streamlined approval processes to attractive tax incentives – encouraging top firms to list in Hong Kong. Influential players like Midea, Hengrui, and Sanhua, along with more than 20 A-share companies filing in 2025, are seizing this opportunity to fund research, development, and international expansion. 💡
CATL’s blockbuster debut, achieved despite ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, saw shares surge by 16.4% on launch day, with global institutional investors oversubscribing the deal 15.2 times and retail demand skyrocketing to 151 times coverage. The company is also set to build a European battery factory to serve clients such as BMW and Volkswagen, showcasing that technological innovation truly knows no borders.
This remarkable turnaround is a call to action for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and young professionals from South Asia to Southeast Asia. From the startup hubs of Bangalore to the digital metropolises of Kuala Lumpur, the fusion of technology and finance is creating exciting opportunities for innovation. Stay tuned and keep dreaming big! ✨
Reference(s):
Hong Kong's IPO resurgence: Tech-capital synergy forges win-win path
cgtn.com
