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This paper presents an experimental investigation on cold-formed steel rectangular and square hollow sections (RHSs and SHSs) with subsequent heat-treatment under combined compression and cyclic lateral loads. A total of 25 specimens designed with different parameters, including slenderness ratios (b/t and d/t) and axial load ratio (n) ranging from 0 to 0.5 were tested. Material tests were carried out to confirm the material ductility requirements stated in Eurocode being reached. Failure modes, moment-rotation curves, secant stiffness, energy dissipation and plastic hinge length presented were analysed. In addition, deformation capacity was evaluated in terms of maximum and ultimate rotations. The comparison results between plastic rotation limits proposed by design codes and the test results indicate that AISC 341-16 is more suitable for the design of cold formed hollow sections with moderate heat treatment under this investigation, though the recommended reduction factor of axial load might be conservative. • Cyclic behaviour of cold-formed hollow section with subsequent heat-treatment was investigated. • Twenty-five beam-column specimens were tested under axial load with monotonic and cyclic lateral load. • Secant stiffness and energy dissipation capacity were evaluated. • Comparison among test results and plastic rotation limits from current design codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]