Hong Kong's market for initial public offerings (IPOs) is suffering from another sluggish start in 2024. Once a beacon of hope for retail investors looking for a windfall and a lucrative source of fees for investment bankers, listings have instead become a source of stress and job insecurity due to a drop in such activity. This year, five companies have raised HK$2.18 billion (US$279 million) from their stock offerings in the first two months, according to data compiled by London Stock Exchange
Hong Kong authorities and bankers are betting a new digital platform will boost investor confidence through a shortened settlement cycle for initial public offerings (IPO) and a quicker listing process.