Hong Kong Exchange's first-half profit sinks amid weak market sentiment

HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong Exchange said Wednesday that its bottom line fell during the first half of the year, amid weak market sentiment, although there were also signs of a turnaround.

The exchange's interim earnings, released during the midday trading break, showed revenue and other income in the half was virtually flat at 10.61 billion Hong Kong dollars ($1.36 billion), while net profit dropped by 3% on the year to HK$6.12 billion.