Hong Kong has recorded its busiest week for new IPO launches in almost two years with deals opened to raise up to $1.3 billion, giving bankers and investors confidence the two-year share sale freeze could be easing.

Interest in self-driving cars has gone up a gear thanks to Tesla’s recent much-hyped robotaxi event. Chinese autonomous driving firm Horizon Robotics has chosen a good time to raise funds in a Hong Kong listing.

Hong Kong stocks headed for a second weekly loss after official data showed China’s growth slowed in the third quarter, putting at risk the annual target of 5 per cent. The Hang Seng Index fluctuated to trade little changed at 20,