About 70 companies were listed on the Hong Kong Main Board and Growth Enterprise Market (GEM).

Despite uncertainties on interest rates and oil prices during 2005, about 70 companies would be listed on the main board and the Growth Enterprise Market this year and funds raised could reach HK$192 billion.

Despite uncertainties on interest rates and oil prices during 2005, about 70 companies would be listed on the Main Board and Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) this year and the amount of fund raised could reach 192 billion Hong Kong dollars (24.61 billion U.S. dollars).

These results were contributed by the return of investors' interests on the equity market towards the end of 2005, and fund raising by large state-owned enterprises.

Everybody expects HSBC to report growth in earnings, but whether it is a single or double-digit increase it is something that is keenly awaited.

We can't rule out double-digit retail sales growth in the final quarter.