HK Stock Market Move | The shipping stocks continue their recent upward trend, Maersk raises its full-year earnings guidance, and geopolitical risks have not substantially eased.

The shipping stocks continued their recent upward trend. As of the time of this report, OOIL (00316) rose by 4.72% to HKD 166.4; SITC (01308) increased by 3.96% to HKD 44.06; TS LINES (02510) climbed by 3.16% to HKD 10.78; and COSCO Shipping Holdings (01919) grew by 1.4% to HKD 16.67. On the news front, Maersk recently announced an upward revision of its full-year performance guidance for 2026, expecting an annual underlying EBITDA of USD 10.5 billion to USD 12.5 billion, up from the previous expectation of USD 8 billion to USD 10 billion. Maersk stated that this adjustment is primarily based on actual performance in the second quarter and higher visibility regarding operational conditions for the remainder of the year. The global container shipping market is expected to see an annual volume growth of about 4% in 2026. Nanhua Futures pointed out that geopolitically, the competition in the Taiwan Strait is expected to intensify. Maersk has signaled that conditions have been established for a return to the Suez Canal in 2026, which has raised market expectations for resumption, putting pressure on the distant market; however, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and the Houthi forces continue to attack facilities near Saudi Arabia and the Mandeb Strait. Geopolitical risks have not substantially eased, and there is significant uncertainty as to whether the risk premium in freight rates can continue to recede.