Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPH Trust) reported a 15.1 per cent jump in net profit attributable to unitholders to HK$748.3 million for the year ended Dec 31 2025, lifted by higher contributions from Yantian International Container Terminals and lower finance costs.

Revenue grew 2.6 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to HK$11.86 billion. Earnings per unit increased to 8.59 Hong Kong cents from 7.46 cents a year earlier. The trustee-manager declared a final distribution of 6.50 cents per unit for the second half, bringing full-year distribution to 11.50 cents, down from 12.20 cents in FY24. The final payout will be made on Mar 27 2026 to unitholders on record as at Feb 13 2026.

Operating profit climbed 8.1 per cent to HK$4.73 billion, helped by a 7.1 per cent increase in laden container throughput at Yantian and a HK$77.3 million reduction in other operating expenses following debt recoveries. This more than offset a 6.4 per cent contraction in combined volume at the Kwai Tsing terminals in Hong Kong. Segment-wise, Chinese Mainland operations accounted for HK$9.62 billion of revenue, while Hong Kong contributed HK$2.25 billion.

Finance costs fell 6.0 per cent to HK$803.3 million, reflecting lower average HIBOR-linked borrowing rates and loan repayments during the year. The trust’s net debt narrowed to HK$15.55 billion from HK$17.06 billion, with 52 per cent of borrowings on fixed rates at end-December.

HPH Trust cautioned that shifting trade patterns, new tariffs and geopolitical tensions could reshape cargo flows in the next 12 months. Management said it will monitor route realignments, pursue new services with shipping lines and continue emission-reduction initiatives after cutting overall intensity by 29 per cent versus 2021. The trust also flagged higher interest expense when refinancing US$1 billion in notes maturing in 2026, which were issued at the lower end of the rate cycle five years ago.