Global trade growth is expected to slow this year because of geopolitical risks and China-US trade tensions, the group said, with the war in the Middle East also shifting trade routes away from the region.

Hutchison, which also controls retail and other businesses in dozens of countries, reported earnings of HK$22.3 billion (US$2.85 billion) for the year.

The group saw "slower growth in some major economies as well as persistent and increasing geopolitical tensions" in 2025, chair Victor Li said in the group's annual financial report.

That led to "an unprecedented evolution in tariff, sanctions, export control, and national security regimes", resulting in a volatile investment and trade environment and in changing capital flows, Li said in the filing.

However, its "highly diversified business and geographic spread largely mitigates the impact of adverse developments in any particular sector or country", he said.

Total revenue rose to HK$507 billion and the group announced a final dividend of HK$1.6 per share.

Its core businesses of port operations and telecommunications recorded growth, and strong cash generation also put the group in a solid financial position.

It said other ports in its "geographically diversified portfolio" could benefit from the diversions.

Hutchison's ports business operates 53 ports comprising 295 operational berths in 24 countries.

It has been caught up in US-China rivalry since announcing a controversial $19 billion sale of strategic ports in Panama last year.

A Panamanian court declared in January that a contract that had allowed CK Hutchison unit Panama Ports Company to manage the Pacific port of Balboa and Cristobal on the Atlantic since 1997 was "unconstitutional".

The subsidiary filed an International Chamber of Commerce lawsuit in February and said this month it was seeking at least US$2 billion in damages.