Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), which operates the city's stock exchange, posted its best-ever annual profit, revenue, and income during 2024 - on the back of the rising market turnover and new listings especially during the fourth quarter of last year.

Upon releasing its annual financial results on Thursday, the bourse operator revealed its net profit for 2024 rose 10 percent year on year to HK$13 billion, from the HK$11.9 billion registered a year earlier.

That was better than market expectations while surpassing the previous record of HK$12.5 billion seen in 2021.

Revenue and other income, meanwhile, rose nine percent year on year to HK$22.3 billion in 2024, while core business revenue also rose by nine percent to HK$20.5 billion.

The company declared a second interim dividend of HK$4.90 per share, 25 percent more compared with last year, while bringing the annual total to HK$9.26 per share, a rise of 10 percent year on year.

The firm also maintained the payout ratio at 90 percent of earnings.

"HKEX achieved significant progress and delivery in 2024, a year that featured greater connectivity and engagement with international markets, the launch of multi-year infrastructure enhancement programmes, and fresh trading records that underscore the market’s vibrancy and resilience," said Bonnie Chan, director and chief executive of HKEX, in a statement.

"The improved macro backdrop supported renewed vibrancy and robustness of our markets, which was reflected in the largest IPO in Hong Kong since 2021 as well as an all-time record trading turnover," she noted.