Esma Starts Data Collection For EU Single Access Point

The European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma) has begun collecting data from national authorities and officially appointed mechanisms, marking the first major implementation step for the European Single Access Point (Esap).

The initiative will create a single digital platform for corporate and financial information across the European Union, allowing investors and the public to access key disclosures through one central portal instead of multiple national systems.

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A Central Hub For Corporate Data

Once fully operational, Esap will provide free access to a broad range of financial and sustainability-related information on companies and their products.

Investors, analysts and other market participants will be able to access and compare corporate disclosures more easily across the EU through a single platform.

Building The Platform Ahead Of Launch

Over the next 12 months, Esma will focus on building the platform’s data repository ahead of its planned public launch in July 2027.

During this phase, national authorities will submit both information and metadata, creating the foundation for the EU-wide database.

The First Data To Be Added

Initial disclosures will cover requirements under the Transparency Directive, the Prospectus Regulation and the Short Selling Regulation.

These include periodic financial reports, prospectuses for public securities offerings and disclosures related to short positions. Coverage is expected to expand over time as additional EU legislation is incorporated.

Supporting More Transparent Capital Markets

By bringing together information currently spread across national databases, Esap is expected to make corporate disclosures easier to access while strengthening transparency across European capital markets.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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