Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Jul 7
Zhipu AI, MiniMax Unlock $11.5 Billion in Shares as Hong Kong Faces Liquidity Strain
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Jul 7

Zhipu AI, MiniMax Unlock $11.5 Billion in Shares as Hong Kong Faces Liquidity Strain

1 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Jul 7

Summary

  • HK$90 billion worth of Zhipu AI and MiniMax shares became or are becoming tradeable this week as their six-month lock-ups expire, testing demand for two of Hong Kong’s hottest AI listings.
  • 25.68 million Zhipu shares unlock on Tuesday and 150 million MiniMax shares on Wednesday, adding a large wave of supply as early investors may take profits after strong post-listing gains.
  • Analysts said the market faces dual pressure because some of the same AI and semiconductor companies are also considering large secondary placements, raising fears of a liquidity drain.
  • Trading was choppy around the expiries: Zhipu rose 5% Tuesday morning after a 14.6% Monday drop, while MiniMax fell 2.3% after losing 3.3% the previous session.
  • The expirations mark the start of a broader wave of Hong Kong lock-up releases that could weigh on momentum in recently listed tech names.

Insights

Will Hong Kong's market become a stable launchpad for Chinese AI or a volatile trap for investors?
As billions in AI shares hit the market, is this a crash in the making or a prime buying opportunity?
Can China's AI giants, trained on domestic chips, truly rival their US counterparts?