Hong Kong stocks have trailed other major global markets in the first half of the year, a trend analysts said could persist as sluggish consumer spending weighs on Chinese internet platforms and an entrenched AI trade risks widening the performance gap.A glut of stocks from the expiry of IPO lock-up periods could pose a further threat this quarter, prompting the city’s exchange to respond quickly with countervailing measures. These included lowering trading barriers for individual investors, a possible expansion of the Stock Connect programme to attract mainland investors and the faster inclusion of hot tech stocks into key indexes.The 11…