China's largest eye hospital operator, Aier Eye Hospital Group, is reportedly exploring a Hong Kong stock market listing, according to sources close to the matter. The move positions the Shenzhen-traded company, with a current market capitalization of approximately $13.8 billion, within a growing queue of mainland Chinese firms seeking capital in Hong Kong. Details regarding the potential share sale size and exact timing remain under discussion, with the company currently working with an adviser on the process. Aier's shares have struggled significantly, down 26% over the past year and near a five-year low.

Hong Kong's stock market has witnessed a notable resurgence in fundraising activity, driven partly by mainland Chinese companies, including major tech firms and established businesses like pig breeder Muyuan Foods. This surge has contributed to the Hang Seng Index achieving its strongest annual performance since 2017, rising 28% last year. However, the index has slipped slightly in 2026, declining about 1% since the start of the year. Aier, established in 2002 and listed in Shenzhen in 2009, operates a vast network of nearly 900 eye hospitals, centers, and clinics, predominantly across mainland China but also extending to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong itself.