Published on 01/02/2026 at 03:49 am EST
(MT Newswires) -- Hong Kong stocks closed higher on their first day of trading in 2026 as investors increasingly bet the market would continue its rally into the new year.
The Hang Seng Index rose by around 707.93 points, or 2.8%, to end at 26,338.47 on Friday. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index increased by 255.31 points, or nearly 2.9%, to 9,168.99.
The city's benchmark index rose 28% in 2025, capping off the year with some of the best yearly performance since 2017, thanks in part to the resilience of the Chinese economy and a tech rally that caught global markets by storm.
Investors are increasingly hopeful that the rally could extend into 2026, buoyed by optimism in Beijing's plan to continue fiscal expansion and monetary easing in the new year alongside hopes for multiple U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Meanwhile, official and private readings of China's manufacturing activity showed a rebound in December.
Manufacturing activity returned to expansion in the final month of 2025 to 50.1 in December from 49.2 in November due to an increase in pre-holiday orders, ending an eight-month slump.
A private reading by RatingDog also showed a return to expansion of 50.1 from 49.9 on improved production and new work inflows.
In corporate news, Biren Technology had a stellar market debut. The fabless semiconductor designer closed at HK$34.46 per share, 76% above its IPO price of HK$19.60.

Sumber : MT Newswires