CFA Institute Research Challenge Hong Kong Local Final 2025-26

To: UG Year 2 or above students,

You are cordially invited to participate in the CFA Institute Research Challenge Hong Kong Local Final 2025-26 as organised by CFA Society Hong Kong.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge, to be held for the 22nd consecutive year, is an annual global competition designed to promote best practices in research among the next generation of analysts through hands-on mentoring and intensive training in company analysis. Students will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience as they assume the role of a research analyst.

The Challenge consists of the following components:

• Analysing of a Public Company
• Mentoring by a Professional Research Analyst 
• Writing an Equity Research Report
• Presenting Research Findings to a High-Profile Panel of Experts

Top 5 teams with highest written report scores will be presenting their research results and recommendations to a high-profile panel of judges at the Presentation and Award Ceremony on February 7, 2026 (Saturday). Apart from knowledge-based requirements, all participants should also abide by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct of CFA Institute.  Winners will be rewarded with scholarship, certificates, trophies, and prizes. 

The winning team at the Local Final will advance to the Regional Final and compete with the winning teams from other geographical regions for the opportunities to enter the Global Challenge in the pursuit of the final championship.  The Global Challenge consists of winners of the regional finals held in Asia Pacific, Europe, and America.

Past event highlights: https://cfasocietyhongkong.org/cfa-institute-research-challenge-hong-kong-local-final-2024-2025 

Eligibility#:

• Year 2 or above undergraduate students in the academic year of 2025-26 who have NEVER participated in this competition.
• Students from all faculties are welcome to join, but each team should consist of at least 50% of members from HKU Business School.

# CFA Charterholders and students who have extensive prior work experience in fundamental company analysis are not eligible. For details, please refer to the official rule.

Application Method:
Interested students should form a team of 3 - 5 members, which the team leader should submit the online application form at https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0iHk2F4j4KspOBg with personal details and CVs of each team member by September 3, 2025 (Wednesday).

Shortlisted teams will be invited to go through further internal selection by mid of September for the School’s consideration and nomination. Students who do not hear from us by then can regard your application as unsuccessful.

For details regarding the background, rules and regulations of the challenge, please refer to the competition website .