Investing.com — Hong Kong’s equity capital markets raised nearly $44 billion in the first half of 2026, the highest level in five years, as strong investor demand for artificial intelligence-related companies offset weaker equity markets and regulatory headwinds, Bloomberg reported on Saturday.
Initial public offerings, share placements, and block trades raised almost $44 billion during the six months, up 29% from a year earlier, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Hong Kong accounted for the largest share of the $122 billion raised across the Asia-Pacific region.
Chinese companies linked to the AI supply chain led the fundraising activity, including battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) and printed circuit board manufacturer Victory Giant Technology, both of which completed multibillion-dollar offerings.
The fundraising surge came despite the Hang Seng Index falling nearly 12% this year, new regulatory measures from Beijing that could slow listings, and broader geopolitical uncertainty.
Several AI-related companies are preparing to tap the Hong Kong market in the coming months, including electronics manufacturer Luxshare Precision Industry, which is planning a listing of about $3 billion, optical transceiver maker Zhongji Innolight, and Baidu’s AI chip subsidiary Kunlunxin.
Companies that recently completed listings are also returning to the market for additional capital. CATL recently completed a $5 billion share placement following its Hong Kong listing last year, while AI developer Zhipu is reportedly preparing another multibillion-dollar fundraising round after going public in January.
The AI investment boom is also supporting fundraising activity across other Asian markets. South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix has filed for a U.S. listing that could raise about $29 billion, while Taiwanese technology companies have raised record amounts through convertible bond offerings to expand AI-related production.
India has been a notable exception, with share sales falling 32% from a year earlier to just over $14 billion as weaker equity markets and geopolitical tensions weighed on investor demand. Still, several large IPOs, including those of Jio Platforms and the National Stock Exchange of India, are expected later this year.
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