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Chinese AI Hardware Draws Strong Investor Demand, Citi Says

Published: Oct. 14, 2026 3:56 a.m. GMT+8

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AI-related listings helped drive a sharp increase in Hong Kong’s IPO fundraising in the first nine months of 2026. Photo: VCG

International investors remain keen to fund Chinese artificial intelligence hardware companies despite global concerns about overinvestment in the sector, a senior Citigroup Inc. executive said.

The demand underscores Asia’s role in the global AI supply chain and is helping fuel a resurgence in Hong Kong’s financial markets, where technology listings are expected to lift annual initial public offering proceeds to a record.

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Explore the story in 30 seconds

Global investors remain keen to fund Chinese AI hardware firms despite sector overinvestment concerns, per Citigroup's Zhou Weiming.
Hong Kong IPOs surged: 116 listings in first nine months of 2026, raising HK$387.9 billion (up 112% YoY).
Asia supplies 70–80% of key AI components; full-year IPO proceeds may hit HK$500 billion, surpassing 2010 record.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

September 2026：: Three Hong Kong IPOs co-sponsored by Citigroup were priced, including RoboTechnik Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd., Ligent Technologies Inc., and Shenzhen Longsys Electronics Co. Ltd., with oversubscription rates for retail offerings of 8.7 times, 35.2 times, and 40.3 times respectively, and four to six times for international tranches.

Mid-September 2026：: Deloitte raised its forecast for Hong Kong's full-year IPO proceeds to HK$480 billion, which would surpass the city's 2010 record of HK$449.5 billion.

First nine months of 2026：: Hong Kong's IPO fundraising saw a sharp increase, with 116 companies listed (up 76% from a year earlier), raising HK$387.9 billion ($49.4 billion), an increase of 112%.

Mid-year 2026：: The Big Four accounting firms projected Hong Kong's full-year IPO proceeds of HK$300 billion to HK$380 billion.

October 13, 2026：: Citigroup's co-head of Asia equity capital markets, Zhou Weiming, told reporters that global investors remain keen to fund Chinese AI hardware companies despite concerns about overinvestment.