As 2025 draws to a close, Hong Kong is poised to cement its status as the world's leading IPO hub in 2026, driven by a surge in fundraising and a notable uptick in business sentiment.
Swiss bank UBS forecasts that between 150 and 200 companies will raise over HK$300 billion (USD 38.5 billion) through initial public offerings next year. This projection would top the roughly HK$270 billion secured in 2025, a year that saw Hong Kong reclaim its crown in global IPO fundraising. UBS analysts also anticipate the Hang Seng Index climbing to 30,000 points in 2026, fueled by a potential return of US capital and blockbuster listings.
Adding to the momentum, Chinese AI unicorns MiniMax and Zhipu AI are gearing up to launch IPOs in Hong Kong within weeks, positioning themselves as rivals to established players in the generative AI space, according to Bloomberg.
The market's optimism is reflected in the latest business survey from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Nearly half of respondent firms (48.3 percent) now hold a positive view of the city's business conditions for the coming 12 months, up from just 18.3 percent last year. Chamber Chairperson Susan Yuen noted that earlier threats of heightened US tariffs had clouded the outlook, but the current geopolitical environment feels more stable.
For entrepreneurs, investors, and young professionals across the G20, Hong Kong's IPO pipeline offers a front-row seat to global capital flows, tech innovation, and market resilience. As 2026 unfolds, the city's role as a gateway to Asia's growth story looks stronger than ever.
Reference(s):
Hong Kong set to retain IPO crown in 2026, business confidence rises
cgtn.com
