The SFC said in a circular that sponsor resources and key personnel capacity for
Hong Kong listings have improved since January. The share of active listing
applications under review involving the five busiest sponsors fell to 65% as of
end-September from 77% as of end-January. New principal approvals by the SFC
between Jan. 30 and Sep. 30, 2026 rose 65% versus the same period in 2025. From
January to September 2026, both the number of sponsors with overburdened
principals and the number of overburdened principals — defined as supervising or
participating in six or more active listing mandates — declined 78%.
