Net profit for Hong Kong’s rail operator more than doubled to HK$15.87 billion (US$2 billion) in the first half of 2026, up from HK$7.70 billion a year earlier, as strong gains from property development offset largely flat performance in its rail and commercial operations.

The MTR Corporation reported a 120.7 per cent year-on-year increase in property-development profit, bringing it to HK$12.23 billion, driven mainly by projects at Tai Wai station and The Southside “Package 5” in Wong Chuk Hang.

The MTR Corp said it would earmark “much of the profit” for asset replacement and maintenance, as well as the development of new railway projects.

Despite the bumper profit, the interim dividend remained unchanged at 42 HK cents.

Profit from recurring operations, including rail and station-commercial businesses, edged up by 1.3 per cent year on year to HK$3.43 billion in the first half, driven by higher contributions from mainland China and overseas markets.

Revenue fell 4.1 per cent year on year to HK$26.23 billion during the six months.