Number of listed companies at Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) 2015-2023

As of 2023, 2,609 companies were listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The bourse was established in 1891 when the city was under British rule. Since then, the stock exchange has developed into one of the leading trading hubs around the world.

IPOs

Even though the bourse faces fierce competition from mainland China, it is still an attractive exchange for many companies. In 2023, around 73 new companies went public in Hong Kong which was the highest issuing volume in recent years. This is in part due to the business-friendly environment of Hong Kong when compared with mainland China, yet it’s proximity to China attracts many companies who still wish to trade with China.

Northbound and southbound trading

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has a close relationship with bourses in Mainland China. Stock connect is the cross-border investment channel that bridges the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with the exchange in Shanghai and Shenzhen. In recent years, northbound trade had increased significantly. China’s most valuable stock, Kweichow Moutai, was particularly popular among investors in Hong Kong.