Zhongyuan: CCL's latest report is 152.17 points, up by 0.85% weekly, expected to reach 156 points in May.

The latest report of the Central City Leading Index (CCL) is 152.17 points, up 0.85% weekly. Yang Mingyi, senior co-director of the research department of Central Real Estate, pointed out that this week, all eight building price indices rose together, marking the first time since the 15th week in mid-December 2025. With many owners closing the deal at higher prices and buyers needing to increase their offers to close the deal, coupled with a low interest rate environment continuing to support, it is favorable for short-term building prices to continue to rise. The price of Hong Kong properties in the first quarter of this year increased by 5.59%, surpassing the full-year increase of 4.7% in 2025. The CCL is only 3.83 points or 2.52% away from the target of 156 points, with the prospect of reaching it in May. Since the interest rate cuts in May 2025, Hong Kong property prices have bottomed out and rebounded. Coupled with two interest rate cuts by local banks last year, the CCL has increased by 12.59% from the low point of 135.16 points compared to May last year. The CCL has increased by 12.81% compared to the low point of 134.89 points before the financial case in March 2025, by 12.01% compared to the low point of 135.86 points before the first interest rate cut in September 2024, and decreased by 20.47% compared to the historical high of 191.34 points in August 2021. The Central City Leading Index for large housing estates, CCL Mass, reported 153.83 points, up by 0.91% weekly. The CCL (small and medium units) reported 152.27 points, up by 0.9% weekly. Both CCL Mass and CCL (small and medium units) hit a new high in the 124th week after mid-November 2023. The CCL (large units) reported 151.65 points, up by 0.6% weekly, a total increase of 1.37% in four weeks, reaching a new high in the 101st week after the end of April 2024. Property prices in all four districts rose. The CCL Mass in the Western New Territories reported 139.81 points, up by 1.73% weekly, the largest increase in nine weeks, reaching a new high in the 118th week after the end of December 2023. Kowloon's CCL Mass reported 151.13 points, up by 0.74% weekly, the fourth highest in the 132nd week after mid-September 2023. Hong Kong Island's CCL Mass reported 154.51 points, up by 0.67% weekly, a total increase of 1.58% in two weeks, reaching a new high in the 124th week after mid-November 2023. The CCL Mass in the Eastern New Territories reported 165.23 points, up by 0.54% weekly, a total increase of 4.17% in four weeks, reaching a new high in the 120th week after early December 2023. In terms of official sales contract dates, compared to the end of 2025, the CCL increased by 5.59% in the first quarter of 2026, CCL Mass by 5.96%, CCL (small and medium units) by 5.66%, CCL (large units) by 5.24%, Hong Kong Island by 10.24%, Kowloon by 4.42%, Eastern New Territories by 4.17%, and Western New Territories by 5.33%. The increase in property prices on Hong Kong Island significantly outperformed the market, as the price only rose by 1.15% throughout last year, the smallest increase among the eight major indices, leading to a situation of catching up this year.