Richard Li’s FWD Group seeks another chance for Hong Kong IPO
- FWD Group announced its fourth IPO attempt in May 2025 amid increasing investor interest.
- The company previously filed applications that lapsed in March 2023, September 2022, and February 2022.
- This new filing comes at a time of heightened activity in Hong Kong’s IPO market, leading to optimistic outlooks.
In May 2025, Hong Kong’s FWD Group, led by billionaire Richard Li, announced its fourth attempt to list on the Hong Kong stock exchange. This decision comes amid a surge in investor interest following recent successful IPOs. Previous applications submitted in early 2022 and March 2023 had lapsed due to less favorable market conditions. The company, which reported a net profit of $24 million for the year ending December 2024, also saw its total assets rise to $53.7 billion, bolstering its financial standing. FWD, majority owned by Pacific Century Group, Li's investment vehicle, has expanded through various acquisitions since its inception in 2012. The reapplication marks a strategic response to a revitalized IPO landscape in Hong Kong, particularly following high-profile offerings such as that of battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology, which raised substantial funds earlier this year.