SOFTCARE (02698), a leading hygiene products company, saw its shares soar by 36.18% in its Hong Kong stock market debut. The stock's impressive performance comes on the heels of a highly successful initial public offering (IPO) that garnered significant investor interest.

The company's shares opened at HK$34.98, marking a 33.51% increase from its IPO price of HK$26.20. This strong start reflects the high demand seen during the IPO process, where the Hong Kong public offer was an astounding 1,813.77 times oversubscribed. The international offering also saw robust demand, being 34.33 times oversubscribed. In total, SOFTCARE raised approximately HK$2.229 billion in net proceeds from the offering.

SOFTCARE's successful debut can be attributed to its strong market position in rapidly growing emerging markets. The company ranks first in Africa's baby diaper and sanitary napkin markets by 2024 sales volume, with market shares of 20.3% and 15.6% respectively. This dominant position, coupled with the company's focus on expanding in Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia, has clearly resonated with investors, driving the stock's impressive first-day performance.