Hong Kong investors are upbeat about the city’s market outlook, according to the Investor Confidence Index 2026, released by Dah Sing Bank on Wednesday.

The survey reported the forward-looking confidence score at 68, with greater optimism among those holding more liquid assets. Among investors who are confident about market conditions over the next 12 months, the average expected return is 7.9 percent.

The report surveyed 619 Hong Kong investors. A reading above 50 indicates confidence in the market. Among high-net-worth investors with more than HK$8 million ($1.03 million) in liquid assets, the market confidence index came in at 77.

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On investment plans, as many as 89 percent of respondents intend to increase or maintain their current investment allocations over the next 12 months. Across asset classes, more than half the investors expressed particularly strong confidence in generating returns from equities and bonds.

Cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets are also viewed favorably over the long term; in this survey, they ranked ahead of commodities such as gold and crude oil, becoming the third-most trusted asset class for delivering positive returns, at 51 percent.

Technology remains the most favored theme, with 52 percent of respondents saying they will focus on related opportunities in the next 12 months — an increase of 11 percentage points over the past 12 months.

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“The Hong Kong stock market has performed well in recent periods, and we believe the AI- and semiconductor-driven momentum will carry into next year,” said Cliff Chan, executive director and group head of Wealth Management at Dah Sing Bank.

He also said that the US rate-cut cycle is expected to continue, which could lead investors to take a relatively optimistic view of bond performance over the next 12 months.

Contact the writer at akirawang@chinadailyhk.com