HONG KONG, Aug 21 Reuters Hong Kong39;s bourse operator said it39;s cautiously optimistic for the year despite a 3 drop in firsthalf profits on sluggish trading and subdued listing activities, as market revenue warmed up in the second quarter.

The profit attributable to shareholders of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd HKEX fell to HK6.13 billion 787 millionin the first six months of the year, behind analysts39; forecasts of HK6.14 billion compiled by LSEG.

Its core revenue remained flat in the first half compared with a year earlier, but quarterly income from April to June rose 9 to HK3.16 billion.

The results were supported by increases in trading and clearing fees from higher volumes across the cash, derivatives and commodities markets, according to HKEX39;s earnings statement.

Looking ahead, while macroenvironment uncertainties persist, we remain cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the rest of the year, Chief Executive Bonnie Chan said in the statement.

1 7.7906 Hong Kong dollars

Reporting by Selena Li; Editing by Kim Coghill and Tom Hogue

Source Reuters