Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing’s October listings-process report shows 611 applications under consideration as of 30 October, while 38 have been approved by the Listing Committee but have yet to list. Across the year’s application population, HKEX records 971 entries, including 379 carried forward or renewed and 592 newly acknowledged applications. Those three numbers measure different things: not every recorded filing is an independent new issuer, and not every file still sits with the exchange for review.[1]
The listed-company count rose from 2,686 at the beginning of 2026 to 2,765 on 30 October, a net increase of 79. HKEX’s breakdown reconciles that move: 121 newly listed companies less 42 delistings equals 79. The 121 include 119 Main Board names and two GEM names. Delistings include transfers between boards in the report’s presentation, a reminder that changes by segment need careful classification.[1]
Separate the applications from the companies that reached market
HKEX October reported listing workload
| Published measure | Count | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 applications processed / total status universe | 971 | Renewed, brought-forward and newly acknowledged applications |
| Under processing on 30 October | 611 | Still in HKEX examination |
| Approved, pending listing | 38 | Committee approval received, market admission outstanding |
| Listed within application-status universe | 175 | Includes special categories beyond 121 companies |
| Newly listed companies year to date | 121 | 119 Main Board, two GEM |
| Net company-count change | +79 | 121 additions less 42 delistings |
The 175 “listed” entries in the application-status section should not be substituted for 121 newly listed companies. The application table includes other categories such as investment vehicles and special transactions. Similarly, 147 classified as “others” cover files that lapsed, were rejected, returned or withdrawn; it would be inaccurate to describe all 147 as failed listings. The report separately specifies zero rejections and one returned listing application during the year.[1]
HKEX also publishes process timing. For the October cohort, median first-comment-letter issuance took 15 business days from acknowledgement; the median for second comments was 19 days. Looking at applications presented to committee in the trailing year, the median total elapsed period to a hearing-bundle letter was 116 business days, only 36 of which it attributes to exchange comment issuance, with 79 attributed to parties other than the exchange. These denominators and workflow phases are not directly equivalent.[1]
The underwriting desk’s measurable takeaway
For brokers and listing sponsors, the 611-case processing population indicates a sizeable underwriting and diligence workload, not a promise of 611 imminent listings. HKEX notes surging applications and says some review cycles have run beyond enhanced-timeframe benchmarks depending on the quality of submissions and regulatory issues. A sponsor assessing pipeline capacity should distinguish submitted, accepted, committee-approved and admitted stages, using the exchange’s 30 October report rather than promotional counts that merge them.[1]
Sources & further reading
- Report on IPO Applications, Delisting and Suspensions (October 2026) Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing · 30 Oct 2026 · Accessed 31 Oct 2026
- HKEX Monthly Market Highlights and consolidated reports Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing · Accessed 31 Oct 2026