Citic, CICC Brokers Accelerate Global Push
Major Chinese brokerages, including Citic Securities and CICC, are accelerating their international expansion as overseas profits surge, according to their
China's leading brokerages are accelerating their global push, pouring billions of yuan into their international operations. This expansion is driven by surging overseas profits and a broadening scope of cross-border deals, according to the firms' latest interim reports. The South China Morning Post reports that this activity aligns with Beijing's support for developing stronger global investment banks.
Citic Securities, one of China's largest brokerages, saw its revenue generated outside mainland China rise 45.5 per cent year-on-year to 15.86 billion yuan in the six months ended June. This growth slightly outpaced the group's overall revenue increase of 44.1 per cent. Its international arm, Citic Securities International (CSI), generated US$2.32 billion in operating revenue and US$829 million in net profit during the period, representing jumps of 56 per cent and 114 per cent, respectively. Total assets for CSI reached US$91.43 billion, a 60 per cent increase from a year earlier.
Cross-Border Deal Activity
Citic's expansion was not limited to financial metrics. The brokerage significantly expanded its cross-border deal-making. It completed 44 overseas equity transactions worth US$4.22 billion, which included two major Malaysian initial public offerings. In addition, Citic handled 96 offshore bond transactions for Chinese issuers. It also completed 28 global mergers and acquisitions involving Chinese companies, with a total value of US$22.88 billion. The report noted deal activity across Southeast Asia and Europe.
CICC's Parallel Growth
China International Capital Corporation (CICC) reported a similar trend of strong international growth. Its overseas revenue in the first half of 2026 increased 45 per cent year-on-year to 9.19 billion yuan, up from 6.34 billion yuan a year earlier. This growth was faster than the investment bank's overall revenue growth of 39.2 per cent. Consequently, overseas operations accounted for about 35 per cent of CICC's total revenue, up from 34 per cent a year earlier.
CICC's offshore arm, CICC International, saw its total assets reach HK$448.6 billion at the end of June. The unit's net profit rose 65 per cent year-on-year to HK$4.35 billion. The firm was also active in capital markets, sponsoring 27 Hong Kong IPOs with an underwriting value of US$5.74 billion in the first half. This marked a significant increase from the 13 deals worth US$2.87 billion it handled in the same period a year earlier. For more detailed financial data, see our stats page.
Comparative Performance
The interim reports from these top firms reveal a clear pattern of international business outpacing domestic growth. The following table compares key overseas performance metrics for Citic Securities and CICC as reported for the first half of 2026.
| Brokerage | Overseas Revenue (H1 2026) | Year-on-Year Growth | Overseas Unit Net Profit | Key Deal Activity (H1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citic Securities | 15.86 billion yuan | 45.5% | US$829 million (Citic Securities International) | 44 overseas equity deals (US$4.22bn); 28 global M&A deals (US$22.88bn) |
| CICC | 9.19 billion yuan | 45% | HK$4.35 billion (CICC International) | Sponsored 27 Hong Kong IPOs (US$5.74bn underwriting value) |
This strategic push involves committing fresh capital to international arms. The report indicates other major players like Guotai Haitong are also broadening their cross-border activities. The firms are use their growing asset bases abroad to compete for a larger share of global finance. Their success in markets like Hong Kong and Southeast Asia highlights the scale of their ambitions. The expansion continues apace, with total assets for Citic Securities International now standing at US$91.43 billion. This growth is part of a broader industry trend visible in the latest standings.
