That was still better than the average forecast of HK$9.92 from 27 analysts compiled by Refinitiv.

Core revenue of the bourse in the quarter dropped by 9% to HK$18.37 billion from HK$20.1 billion in 2021, dragged down by weaker cash market turnover resulting from tighter market liquidity and sluggish trading.

"The broader challenges of 2022 will likely persist into 2023 - inflationary pressures, geopolitical tensions, economic malaise, and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic," Nicolas Aguzin, CEO of HKEX, said in a release.

"However, the longer-term opportunities are still there."

The last month of 2022 saw 21 new listings on the bourse, accounting for about a quarter of total listings in the year, according to Aguzin.

Meanwhile, trading volumes on the bourse decline last year.

Average daily turnover was HK$109 billion, down 26% from HK$146.6 billion in 2021, which had been a record year for equities trading.

China's economic slowdown, a sweeping regulatory tightening that hampered large enterprises' fundraising outside mainland China, and geopolitical tensions have all resulted in a bleak year for new listings in Hong Kong.

Only $12.7 billion was raised last year via IPOs and secondary listings in Asia's most popular fundraising venue, marking a 70% drop from $43 billion raised in 2021, according to Refinitiv data.

($1 = 7.8439 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Selena Li; Editing by Shri Navaratna)

By Selena Li