HKMC Reports Significant Decline in Profit for First Half of 2024

HKMC Reports Significant Decline in Profit for First Half of 2024

The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) has recently announced a notable drop in profit for the first half of 2024, citing adverse property price impacts on its reverse mortgage business as the primary reason.

The unaudited financial results released by HKMC for the first half of 2024 revealed a significant decline in profit, with the profit after tax amounting to HK$9 million. This represents a sharp decrease from the HK$1,175 million recorded in the same period in 2023. The adverse impact of the drop in property prices on the reverse mortgage business was a key factor contributing to this decline, in stark contrast to the favorable conditions of the previous year.

Financial Performance and Adjustments

Despite the reported loss, when excluding certain variables like HKMC Annuity Limited results and property price changes, the adjusted profit after tax for the period was HK$468 million. This resulted in an annualized return on equity of 6.2% and a cost-to-income ratio of 22.4%, showing improvement compared to the previous year’s figures.

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The annuity business’s embedded value stood at approximately HK$14 billion as of June 30, 2024, indicating a strong financial position. Additionally, the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of HKMC was a robust 20.7%, exceeding regulatory requirements set by the Financial Secretary.

Business Activities and Market Engagement

During the first half of 2024, HKMC acquired HK$2.1 billion in loan assets and purchased HK$4.6 billion in loans under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme. The institution also emerged as the most active issuer in the Hong Kong dollar corporate bond market, displaying strong credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s.

Mortgage and Loan Guarantee Programs

HKMC’s Mortgage Insurance Programme and SME Financing Guarantee Scheme witnessed significant activity, with new loans and applications approved. The Dedicated 100% Loan Guarantee Schemes and Reverse Mortgage Programme also demonstrated increased engagement.

Despite market uncertainties, HKMC has showcased resilience in its core operations, supported by prudent strategies and transparent communication. For a more detailed analysis, the full financial report is available on the Hong Kong Monetary Authority website.

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