HONG KONG, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's economy expanded by 5.2% in the third quarter from a year earlier, official advance estimates showed on Tuesday, the 15th consecutive quarter of growth underpinned by accelerating exports and solid domestic demand.
• It compared with a mean forecast of 3.6% year-on-year growth by 10 economists in a Reuters poll, 4.2% growth in the second quarter of 2026 and a 5.9% growth in the first quarter
• In a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 1.9% in real terms in the third quarter from the second quarter of 2026
• "Looking ahead, Hong Kong's economic outlook remains positive, with incoming data pointing to sustained growth momentum," a government spokesman said, adding robust global artificial intelligence investment should continue to underpin merchandise exports
• He said exports of services should benefit from sustained growth in inbound tourism, vibrant cross-boundary traffic and active financial market activities, while geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and tighter monetary policies by major central banks warrant close monitoring
• Private consumption expenditure increased by 2.8% in the third quarter, compared with a 2.9% rise in the second quarter and a 4.9% increase in the first quarter.
• Total exports of goods jumped 30.4% in the third quarter, compared with a revised 28.9% growth in the second-quarter and 23.8% growth in the first quarter
• Imports of goods grew 29.9% in the third quarter, compared with a 29.3% increase in the second quarter and a 29.9% rise in the first quarter
• For the first three quarters of 2026 combined, real GDP grew by 5.1% over a year earlier, the fastest growth for the corresponding period in five years
(Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Susan Fenton)