CTG DUTY-FREE (01880) surged more than 3%, reaching HK$74.4 by the time of writing, with a trading volume of HK$179 million. The catalyst behind the rally is the upcoming official closure operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port on December 18. Wang Fengli, Deputy Director of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee's Reform Office (Free Trade Port Work Committee Office), recently confirmed that preparations for the island-wide closure are progressing smoothly, with essential infrastructure already in place. Key policies, including the import tax commodity catalog and goods circulation tax regulations, have been finalized.

Huafu Securities highlighted CTG DUTY-FREE and other Hainan-based duty-free operators as beneficiaries of the fourth-quarter closure theme. Meanwhile, Orient Securities noted a recovery in Hainan’s offshore duty-free market. From November 1–7, duty-free sales in Hainan totaled RMB506 million (+34.86% YoY), with 72,900 shoppers (+3.37% YoY), driven by policy easing, promotional campaigns, and large-scale events like concerts. Additionally, the decline in Japan-bound tourism may redirect overseas shopping demand to Hainan, while improved stock market wealth effects could further boost winter travel and duty-free sales on the island.