The Companies Registry’s 2025–26 Annual Report (Companies Registry Trading Fund; per the Registry’s “What’s New”, tabled at the Legislative Council on 21 October 2026) sets out key operating figures. As at 31 March 2026, local companies and re-domiciled companies on the Companies Register reached a record 1,584,413 — a new high for the third consecutive year. This note summarises the public summary pages — general information only, not legal advice. Details follow the Registry’s full Annual Report and circulars.
Key point: The summary shows 215,806 new local companies incorporated in 2025–26 (about 890 per day on average), and 30 companies registered as re-domiciled companies. A record register size reflects sustained demand for Hong Kong’s company platform; it does not guarantee approval of any individual application.
Key figures (Annual Report summary)
- New local incorporations — 215,806; about 890 per day on average.
- Register total — 1,584,413 local and re-domiciled companies as at 31 March 2026 (record high).
- Re-domiciled companies — 30 registered during the year (see the Registry’s re-domiciliation thematic pages; eligibility and process follow the Companies Ordinance and Registry guidance).
- Documents for registration — 3,379,049 (about 13,934 per day).
- Searches — 5,200,947 document image searches; 434,665 Directors Index searches; 1,141,294 company-particulars searches.
- Charges — 13,700 charges documents received for registration.
Trading Fund financial snapshot
The summary lists revenue of about HK$825.1 million, operating costs about HK$574.2 million, profit from operations about HK$250.9 million, and a rate of return on fixed assets of about 26.8%. These are Trading Fund results, not a notice of fee changes for individual customers.
Practical takeaways for SMEs and company secretaries
- Incorporation plus ongoing compliance — High formation volumes do not reduce later Annual Return (NAR1), business registration or profits-tax duties; diary anniversary deadlines early.
- Re-domiciliation needs eligibility checks — Thirty completed re-domiciliations in the year do not mean every case is simple; review Cap. 622 requirements and the Registry’s Guide on Company Re-domiciliation first.
- e-Services — The Registry continues to promote electronic filing and search; common forms such as NAR1 and NR1 may be filed via the e-Services Portal / eligible iAM Smart+ routes (confirm against the latest External Circular).
- Charges filings — Material charges volumes remind companies with lending or security arrangements to file on time.
How this differs from this week’s SCCLR note
The Registry also published the Standing Committee on Company Law Reform’s 2025–26 annual report this week (see our related Insight). That piece covers policy briefings and consultation topics; this article covers Trading Fund / Registry operating statistics.
Routine information summary only — not investment advice. For incorporation, re-domiciliation, annual returns or tax filings, take advice on your facts. VCL can assist with Hong Kong incorporation, annual return / company secretary work, and related accounting and tax support.
Sources: Companies Registry 2025–26 Annual Report (EN summary) · 公司註冊處 2025–26 年報（中文摘要） · CR What’s New (Annual Report tabled) · CR: Company re-domiciliation regime
Related services: Hong Kong company incorporation · Annual return / company secretary · Accounting · Hong Kong profits tax · BVI / offshore incorporation