Hong Kong Finance Research Community Convenes at the 2026 Hong Kong Joint Finance Research Workshop

The 2026 Hong Kong Joint Finance Research Workshop (The Newcomer Conference) successfully took place on 28 August 2026 at Lingnan University's West Kowloon Campus at M+, bringing together emerging finance scholars and researchers from universities across Hong Kong and the Greater China region. The workshop provided a vibrant platform for the exchange of cutting-edge research ideas and fostered collaboration among the next generation of finance academics.

Jointly organized by a consortium of finance scholars from local and regional institutions, the annual workshop featured research presentations covering a broad spectrum of contemporary topics, including financial markets, investor behaviour, machine learning in finance, corporate finance, innovation, mergers and acquisitions, immigration, and housing markets. The event attracted researchers and discussants from leading universities, including Lingnan University, The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Baptist University, City University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Peking University HSBC Business School.

The workshop commenced with welcome remarks delivered by Prof WEI Lai of Lingnan University, who welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of academic exchange among young researchers in advancing finance scholarship. She emphasized the role of the workshop in nurturing research excellence and strengthening collaboration within Hong Kong's finance research community.

The day-long programme featured four thematic sessions. The first session explored issues related to market information, investor behaviour, and credit markets. Research presented included studies on analyst bias associated with brokerage proprietary trading and market participants' perceptions of credit risk. The discussions generated valuable insights into information dissemination and decision-making within financial markets.

The second session focused on machine learning, risk measurement, and asset pricing. Scholars presented innovative research on systematic risk measurement, behavioural aspects of machine learning forecasts, and the relationship between macroeconomic risk and stock returns. These presentations highlighted the growing importance of data analytics and artificial intelligence in modern financial research.

During the afternoon, participants attended the third session on corporate finance, management, and innovation. Topics examined included trade secret protection and firm listing decisions, managerial attention to financial markets, and the role of human capital in financing innovative start-ups. The session provided fresh perspectives on how organizational decisions influence corporate development and innovation outcomes.

The final session addressed issues in mergers and acquisitions, immigration, and housing markets. Presenters examined M&A activities in the digital economy, the relationship between immigration and homeownership, and the impact of housing taxation policies on affordability and housing supply. These studies reflected the increasing relevance of finance research in addressing major socioeconomic challenges.

A distinctive feature of the workshop was the active participation of discussants from different institutions, who provided constructive feedback and facilitated in-depth academic dialogue. The format encouraged interaction among presenters, discussants, and attendees, helping young scholars refine their research and establish new professional connections.

As a platform dedicated to supporting early-career researchers, the 2026 Hong Kong Joint Finance Research Workshop reinforced the importance of fostering academic excellence and promoting the exchange of innovative ideas in finance. Through rigorous scholarly discussions and cross-institutional collaboration, the workshop contributed to the continued development of Hong Kong as a leading hub for finance research and higher education.