Financial Performance - The company reported a revenue of 18,154,000forthesixmonthsendedJune30,2024,representinganincreaseof11.816,240,000 in the same period of 2023[1]. - Interest income rose to 14,725,000,upfrom13,609,000, reflecting an increase of 8.2% year-over-year[1]. - The company achieved a pre-tax profit of 40,348,000,asignificantrecoveryfromalossof5,337,000 in the previous year[1]. - Basic and diluted earnings per share improved to 8.95 cents, compared to a loss of 1.19 cents per share in the same period last year[1]. - Total comprehensive income for the period was 41,955,000,comparedtoalossof10,380,000 in the prior year, indicating a strong turnaround[3]. - The group reported a net profit after tax of 40.3millionforthesixmonthsendedJune30,2024,comparedtoanetlossof5.3 million for the same period last year[37]. - Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was 18.2million,anincreaseof5.816.2 million for the same period last year[37]. - Other income for the same period was 14.4million,upfrom12.2 million, primarily due to interest income from fixed income investments[37]. - The group reported a significant increase in fair value gains on financial assets and perpetual securities of 45.3millioncomparedtothepreviousyear[37].−Thegroup’sEBITDAforthesixmonthsendedJune30,2024,was40.7 million, a significant recovery from a loss of 4.9millioninthesameperiodlastyear[36].AssetsandLiabilities−Non−currentassetsincreasedto818,793,000 as of June 30, 2024, up from 743,574,000attheendof2023[4].−TotalassetsasofJune30,2024,amountedto1,617,403thousandUSD,withclassifiedassetscontributing1,588,900thousandUSD[15].−ThecompanyhelddebtinstrumentsmeasuredatamortizedcostamountingtoUSD59,307,000classifiedasnon−currentassetsasofJune30,2024,downfromUSD82,972,000asofDecember31,2023[22].−Thegroup’stotalliabilitiesincreasedfrom31,279thousandUSDasofDecember31,2023,to45,402thousandUSDasofJune30,2024[15].−Thegroup’sclassifiedliabilitiestotaled38,347thousandUSDasofJune30,2024,withclassifiedliabilitiesinthefinancialservicessegmentat37,875thousandUSD[15].−Thefairvalueofreceivablesfromsecuritiestradingincreasedto24,403,000 as of June 30, 2024, from 39,888,000asofDecember31,2023,indicatingadecreaseofapproximately38.942,296,000 as of June 30, 2024, down from 64,346,000asofDecember31,2023,reflectingadecreaseofapproximately34.338,148,000 as of June 30, 2024, compared to 30,949,000asofDecember31,2023[34].CashFlow−Cashandcashequivalentsdecreasedto80,321,000 from 130,308,000,reflectinganetdecreaseof51,880,000 during the period[5]. - The company reported a net cash outflow from operating activities of 3,464,000,comparedtoacashinflowof2,357,000 in the previous year[5]. - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to 80.3millionasofJune30,2024,from130.3 million at the end of 2023, with a net cash outflow from operating activities of 51.9million[51].Investments−Thefairvalueoffinancialassetsmeasuredatfairvaluethroughprofitorlossincreasedto403,033,000 from 324,361,000[4].−Thecompany’snon−listedinvestmentfundincreasedtoUSD307,284,000asofJune30,2024,fromUSD261,999,000asofDecember31,2023[22].−Thegroupholdssixnon−listedequityinvestmentswithabookvalueof52,941,000 as of June 30, 2024, slightly down from 53,398,000asofDecember31,2023[26].−Thegroup’sinvestmentsinnon−listedprivateequityfundsareconcentratedintechnology,media,telecommunications,healthcare,andenvironmentalsectors,withfiveoutofthirteenfundsaccountingforapproximately7735.5 million from proprietary investment operations for the six months ended June 30, 2024, a significant recovery from a loss of $12.4 million in the same period in 2023[44]. Dividends and Shareholder Returns - The company declared a final dividend of HKD 0.12 per share for the year ended December 31, 2023, amounting to approximately USD 6,918,000 (equivalent to about HKD 54,098,000) for the six months ended June 30, 2024[19]. - The group did not recommend the declaration and payment of an interim dividend for the six months ended June 30, 2024[35]. Corporate Governance and Compliance - The company has adopted and complied with the Corporate Governance Code as per the listing rules, ensuring adherence to applicable governance standards[61]. - The company has adopted the standard code of conduct for securities trading by directors as per the listing rules appendix C3, confirming compliance by all directors until June 30, 2024[62]. - The audit committee, consisting of three independent non-executive directors, has reviewed the accounting principles and practices adopted by the group, discussing audit, internal control, and financial reporting matters[63]. - The interim report for the six months ending June 30, 2024, has been reviewed by the audit committee and will be sent to shareholders by September 30, 2024[64]. Future Outlook and Strategy - The company plans to optimize resource allocation and enhance business performance in the second half of 2024, aiming for higher returns and value[56]. - The financial services segment will focus on securities trading, brokerage, margin financing, asset management, and corporate finance consulting, leveraging competitive commission rates and quality service[56]. - The company anticipates a gradual improvement in the IPO market in 2024, driven by government support measures including tax incentives and regulatory reforms[56]. - The company aims to diversify its lending business, including commercial financing and specialized lending solutions for various industries[57]. - The asset management business will enhance its product offerings by providing tailored discretionary investment management services to high-net-worth clients[57]. - The company is actively seeking investment opportunities in high-quality commercial properties and other real estate, with a focus on stable income and long-term capital appreciation[57].