Hang Seng Biotech Index rises 7.3% in September as broader market falls

It's the second-best-performing index in Hong Kong this month.

Hong Kong's equity market fell broadly in September 2026, but healthcare and biotechnology stocks stood out as the strongest performers across all sectors, according to Hang Seng Indexes data.

The Hang Seng Composite Index fell 3.8% month-on-month (MoM), with the Hang Seng Index and Hang Seng China Enterprises Index dropping 3.7% and 3.4% respectively.

The Hang Seng TECH Index, which tracks major technology players listed in Hong Kong, fell 7.9%, whilst the Hang Seng Stock Connect China 500 Index and Hang Seng Stock Connect China A 300 Index declined 5.6% and 5.5% respectively.

Against that backdrop, healthcare was the best-performing sector within the Hang Seng Composite Index, rising 5.4%, whilst materials was the worst, falling 12.3%.

The Hang Seng Biotech Index rose 7.3%, making it the second best-performing index within the Hang Seng family, behind only the Hang Seng China A Properties Index, which gained 8.8%. The Hang Seng SCHK Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology Investable Index rose 6.1%.

Within the biotech index, Pharma and Biotech Contract Services was the strongest subsector, rising 10.5%. Of the 30 index constituents, 16 recorded gains, two were flat, and 12 declined, with individual price changes ranging from a decline of 52% to a gain of 37.4%.

Trading activity in Hang Seng Biotech Index futures increased sharply over the same period. Average daily volume reached 383 contracts in the first nine months of 2026, up 87% from 205 contracts in the same period of 2025.

Open interest of HSBIO futures reached 894 contracts on 30 September, up 249% from the end of 2025.

Total assets under management in products passively tracking indexes in the Hang Seng family stood at approximately $827.92b (US$105.5b) as at 30 September, down 3.1% MoM.