Exchange Fund income plunges 80% to $23.9b in H1 amidst trade worries

The fund’s total assets hit $4.1t.

The investment income of the Hong Kong Exchange Fund plunged 80% YoY to $27.3b in the first half of the year on the back of heightened trade tensions between the US and China, according to a statement from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).

Also read: Trade jitters dampen export growth to 3.3% in June

The Exchange Fund, which invests in equities, bonds, foreign exchange and other securities and assets, is used to back the Hong Kong dollar.

The fee payable to the fiscal reserves amounted to $22.b in H1 2018 whilst fee payments on placements by Government funds and statutory bodies hit $6.9b.

The fund’s total assets rose by $85.4b to $4.1007t over the same period.

Also read: Trade war could cut 1% of Hong Kong GDP

"Looking ahead, the global investment environment will become even more complex and challenging in the second half of the year,” HKMA chief executive Norman Chan said in a statement. “If the trade wars continue to heat up, the global economy and financial markets will be taking a hit.”