Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. reported a 3% year-over-year increase in net profit for the six months ended June 30, as higher investment income more than offset lower fees from trading and clearing.

The exchange operator said Aug. 14 that net profit rose to HK$5.21 billion from HK$5.04 billion in the prior-year period. EPS went up to HK$4.15 from HK$4.06.

Trading fees and tariffs fell to HK$2.94 billion from HK$3.33 billion, while clearing and settlement fees dropped to HK$1.66 billion from HK$1.75 billion. Stock exchange listing fees stood at HK$847 million from, down from HK$855 million a year earlier.

EBITDA, which excludes the group's share of results in its joint ventures, rose to HK$6.63 billion from HK$6.28 billion.

Net investment income of HK$1.52 billion, up from HK$795 million in the year-ago period. Operating profit also grew to HK$6.13 billion from HK$5.90 billion, while operating expenses came to HK$1.95 billion, slightly up from HK$1.92 billion.

The average daily turnover of equity products traded on the stock exchange declined to HK$75.1 billion from HK$100.4 billion, while the average daily turnover of derivative warrants, callable bull or bear contracts and warrants also came down to HK$22.8 billion from HK$26.2 billion.

Further, the exchange operator raised its interim dividend for the period to HK$3.72 per share from HK$3.64 per share in the prior-year period.