Alvin Lang
Jan 28, 2026 08:54
HKMA’s Change Fund achieves 8% funding return with file HK$331 billion revenue as international markets rally. Whole belongings attain HK$4.15 trillion.
Hong Kong’s Change Fund delivered its highest annual funding revenue on file in 2025, posting HK$331 billion ($42.5 billion) as international fairness markets rallied and the weakening US greenback boosted overseas forex holdings.
The Hong Kong Financial Authority launched unaudited figures on January 28 displaying the fund achieved an 8% funding return for the 12 months. Whole belongings grew HK$70.4 billion to achieve HK$4.15 trillion, with amassed surplus standing at HK$936.1 billion.
The place the Beneficial properties Got here From
Bond holdings led the cost with HK$142.2 billion in positive factors. Fairness positions added one other HK$108 billion mixed—HK$33.9 billion from Hong Kong shares and HK$74.1 billion from abroad equities. Forex translation results contributed HK$38.4 billion because the greenback dropped roughly 9% towards main currencies.
The Funding Portfolio returned 12.4%, whereas the extra conservative Backing Portfolio—which defends the Hong Kong greenback peg—gained 5.2%. The Lengthy-Time period Progress Portfolio has delivered an 11.2% annualized return since its 2009 inception by way of September 2025.
Uncommon Alignment of Constructive Returns
HKMA Chief Govt Eddie Yue famous this marks solely the third time in 15 years that each one main fund parts posted constructive returns concurrently—beforehand occurring in 2017 and 2020. The Cling Seng Index surged 28% in 2025 whereas the S&P 500 gained 16%, with each benchmarks hitting file highs.
“The distinctive confluence of a number of beneficial elements within the international monetary markets in 2025 might not final for a very long time,” Yue cautioned. He cited AI funding flows, central financial institution fee cuts, and better-than-expected outcomes from commerce conflicts as key 2025 tailwinds.
Context and Outlook
The Change Fund, established in 1935, serves as Hong Kong’s financial protection system—backing banknote issuance and defending the forex peg from speculative assaults. The fund’s compounded annual return since 1994 stands at 4.5%, outpacing Hong Kong’s 2.0% inflation fee over the identical interval.
The HKMA lately doubled its RMB Enterprise Facility to RMB200 billion in late January, signaling continued give attention to yuan-denominated operations alongside its conventional dollar-based actions.
For 2026, Yue warned that geopolitical tensions, central financial institution coverage shifts, and AI market dynamics may set off important volatility. The authority plans to keep up excessive liquidity ranges and defensive positioning whereas persevering with diversification efforts.
Picture supply: Shutterstock
