CK Hutchison planning dual HK, London listing for AS Watson

(Sharecast News) - AS Watson, one of the largest health and beauty retailers owned by Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison, is reportedly looking to raise up to $2.0bn via a dual listing on the HKEX and London Stock Exchange. CK Hutchison, which is based in Hong Kong but registered in the Cayman Islands, has already started the process to list the business in the two territories in the first half of 2026, according to an exclusive from Dow Jones on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

AS Watson owns a variety of businesses cross the global retail sector, but is widely known for the Watsons chain across Asia and Europe, and its Superdrug and Savers shops in the UK.

According to reports, CK Hutchison had to delay an initial public offering for the division because of the pandemic, along with a subdued environment for new listings in recent years.

However, the significant pickup in new listings this year is said to have opened up the possibility of market debut for AS Watson.

The amount raised in Hong Kong IPOs has more than trebled to $28bn so far this year, as the regional Hang Seng equity benchmark has surged nearly 30% in value.