Hong Kong, Jan 25, 2026, 15:38 HKT — Market closed
- On Jan. 23, Hongkong Land bought back 180,000 shares, which it plans to cancel
- H78 wrapped up Friday’s session at $8.17, marking a 0.74% gain.
- Attention turns to Monday’s reopening and the U.S. Fed’s midweek decision
Hongkong Land Holdings Limited bought back 180,000 ordinary shares on Jan. 23, paying between $8.12 and $8.22 each, according to a filing. The company plans to cancel these shares. The update also shows total voting rights now stand at 2,156,204,126 shares, with no treasury stock reported. (Shareinvestor)
Shares listed in Singapore ended Friday at $8.17, marking a 0.74% rise as 1.94 million shares traded. The stock, priced in U.S. dollars on the Singapore Exchange, holds its main listing in London, per data from SGinvestors. (SG Investors)
Why it matters now: fresh company news is scarce heading into Monday, and buybacks remain one of the few quick tools management can use. For investors, they also serve as a gauge of cash discipline.
Cancelling a buyback reduces the share count and can boost per-share metrics, even when the business is sluggish. It also reveals how management balances returning capital with preserving cash reserves.
Friday’s buyback came in at about $1.47 million at the weighted average price, slicing under 0.01% off the total shares outstanding. A modest move, but the signal is unmistakable.
Buybacks have long featured in the group’s strategy for returning cash to shareholders. In April 2025, Hongkong Land, under Jardine Matheson’s control, announced a buyback program capped at $200 million. Part of the funding would come from the sale of space to Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing for its headquarters. (Reuters)
The bigger swing factor remains the property cycle. Hongkong Land’s CFO Craig Beattie told Reuters last July that the high end of Hong Kong’s office market was stabilising and “could be the point of turning” for prime space. That came even as rents stayed under pressure and the company warned of weaker margins in its mainland China build-to-sell business. (Reuters)
That call, however, is far from settled. Should Central rents fall further, vacancies rise, or demand in China’s housing market remain weak, even a steady stream of buybacks might fail to shore up sentiment.
Rate expectations are once again in focus for real-estate stocks this coming week. The U.S. Federal Reserve holds its meeting from Jan. 27 to 28, with the policy announcement set for Jan. 28 — a key event that could move bond yields and, in turn, property values. (Federal Reserve)
Hongkong Land’s next move could come down to a fresh buyback announcement or news on asset recycling and Central’s demand. Trading picks up again Monday, Jan. 26.
