Authorities said the robust external trade and resilient domestic demand contributed to the showing, which exceeds the the government's annual growth goal of 2.5-3.5 percent for 2026.
But the advanced estimate is below the 4.9 percent that economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected, and down from 5.9 percent in the first three months in 2026 -- the city's best quarterly performance since 2021.
Total exports of goods in the second quarter rose 28.8 percent over the same period last year, accelerating from 23.8 percent growth in the first quarter.
Imports of goods grew 29.3 percent and private consumption expenditure 2.9 percent, while seasonally adjusted GDP decreased 0.6 percent from the previous three months, a government spokesperson said.
As a key entrepot for China, Hong Kong is facing headwinds from Middle East tensions, uncertain US monetary policies and "trade protectionist measures among major advanced economies", the spokesperson said in a statement.
"The lingering external headwinds... still warrant close surveillance."
The Chinese financial hub's economic outlook "should continue to pose solid growth in the second half" of this year, the statement said, adding that "vibrant global demand for artificial intelligence-related products should bolster merchandise exports".
Hong Kong's currency is pegged to the US dollar, making it susceptible to the impacts of Washington's monetary policies.
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve held US interest rates steady, as households have been battered by years of high prices.
Chi Lo, senior market strategist at BNP Paribas, said in a note Friday that the rationale "is to balance steady (still solid) economic and job growth against sticky and elevated inflation".
He warned that the inflation would continue to trend higher as the "geopolitical disruptions to trade, investment, and supply chains seem to have become more frequent".
"Climate change, protectionism, and the need to spend on artificial intelligence can all contribute to upside inflation risks."
twa/ami