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    Learn Why The Bull Case For HKEX Stock Could Change Following AI Index Launch

    Simply Wall St·10/31/2026 10:28:26
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    • Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has launched the HKEX Artificial Intelligence Index, its first AI themed benchmark, and authorized China Southern Asset Management to issue a mainland listed ETF that tracks companies such as SMIC, Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings across four AI value chain segments.
    • This move pushes Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing deeper into index linked and ETF related fee pools linked to AI infrastructure, applications and platforms. It also aligns with the company's effort to broaden revenue sources beyond traditional equity trading.
    • We will examine how Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing's investment narrative is shaped by the new AI index and mainland tracking ETF.

    Scan how Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing is leaning into AI, then size up other potential beneficiaries across the value chain with the curated list of 54 AI infrastructure stocks.

    Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Investment Narrative Recap

    For Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, the core belief is that its multi asset, China linked ecosystem can keep attracting trading, clearing and data activity even when sentiment is mixed. The recent AI index launch fits that story but does not change the near term swing factor, which still hinges on trading volumes and the health of Connect and derivatives flows.

    The biggest risk for shareholders remains operating leverage cutting both ways. Staff and IT spending are moving higher, while net investment income has been under pressure from rate moves and margin collateral changes. If activity eases, those fixed costs could squeeze profitability more than headline revenue trends imply.

    The AI index announcement lines up most clearly with the existing push into ETPs and index linked products. Management has been leaning into covered call ETFs, leverage and inverse funds, cross market products and now AI focused benchmarks. All of these help shift more average daily turnover into higher fee ETP style activity.

    For investors watching catalysts, the question is how effectively Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing can turn themed indices like this into durable volumes and listings without adding too much incremental cost. The opportunity sits alongside familiar risks around macro sensitivity, higher funding reliance on external borrowing and a dividend that is not fully backed by free cash flow.

    Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing's narrative projects HK$34.7b revenue and HK$25.7b earnings by 2029. This reflects 3.3% yearly revenue growth and an earnings increase of about HK$5.9b from HK$19.8b today.

    Uncover how Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing's fair value indicates a 36% potential upside to its current price that could narrow quickly.

    SEHK:388 1-Year Stock Price Chart
    SEHK:388 1-Year Stock Price Chart

    Exploring Other Perspectives

    One catalyst that bearish analysts keep circling is cost creep at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing. They see higher staff and IT spending as a drag, with revenue projected to ease by 1.0% a year and earnings falling toward about HK$17.8b by 2029. That is a much gloomier script than the consensus. Both sets of forecasts were built before the AI index launch, so you may want to compare them and decide which storyline could shift the most if this new product gains traction.

    Explore 3 other Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing fair value estimates, including one that suggests there may be as much as 10% downside from the current price.

    Decide For Yourself

    Don't just follow the ticker. Dig into the data and build a conviction that's truly your own.

    Looking for more investment ideas beyond Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing?

    Once you have a handle on Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing and its AI angle, it can help to widen the lens and compare it with other listed businesses that fit different risk and return profiles. The Simply Wall St Screener offers several ready made sets of companies that you can use as a jumping off point for that next idea.