HKeX proposes new listing regime for emerging and innovative companies

HONG KONG - The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited has published a consultation paper seeking public feedback on proposed new rules to expand Hong Kong’s listing regime to facilitate listings of companies from emerging and innovative sectors.

The paper includes draft Main Board Listing Rules to: (a) permit listings of biotech issuers that do not meet any of the financial eligibility tests of the Main Board; (b) permit listings of companies with weighted voting right (WVR) structures; and (c) establish a new concessionary secondary listing route for Greater China and international companies that wish to secondary list in Hong Kong.

The Exchange has proposed separate new chapters in the Listing Rules for biotech, WVR and the new concessionary secondary listing route.

“In the past few months we have collectively decided to take a big step forward as a financial centre and welcome emerging and innovative companies,” said HKEX Chief Executive Charles Li.

“Now, we are proposing a listing regime that will boost Hong Kong’s attractiveness for a new generation of companies as well as investors, bringing more dynamism to our stock market. Significant momentum has been built for making Hong Kong’s capital markets more relevant and even more competitive.” 

In its proposals, the Exchange offers specific guidance on the listing eligibility for pre-profit/pre-revenue biotech issuers that produce pharmaceuticals (small molecule drugs), biologics, and medical devices (including diagnostics).  Manufacturers of other biotech products will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Since issuers listed under the proposed biotech chapter would not meet any of the financial eligibility tests of the Main Board, these issuers potentially carry additional risks to investors,the consultation paper says. 

Accordingly, the proposals include detailed eligibility and suitability criteria for determining appropriate applicants, a higher market capitalisation requirement, enhanced disclosure requirements as well as restrictions on fundamental changes of business.

An applicant will be required to demonstrate that it is eligible and suitable for listing with a WVR structure by reference to a number of characteristics, including the nature of the company and the contribution of the proposed WVR beneficiaries. 

Recognising the potential risks associated with WVR structures, the Exchange has proposed detailed safeguards, including limits on WVR power and measures to protect non-WVR holders’ right to vote, enhanced corporate governance requirements as well as enhanced disclosure requirements.

For the proposed new secondary listings chapter, the Exchange aims to strike a balance between facilitating listings of innovative companies that are primarily subject to regulation overseas and providing appropriate investor protection.  

As a result, it has proposed a new regime for three types of companies that are primary listed on a Qualifying Exchange (QE) in the US or the UK, namely: (a) Greater China issuers that were primary listed on a QE before the publication of the New Board Concept Paper Conclusions; (b) those that were primary listed on a QE afterwards; and (c) non-Greater China issuers.

“Since publication of the New Board Concept Paper Conclusions, the Exchange has engaged in further discussions with the Securities and Futures Commission and other stakeholders to refine its views on areas such as appropriate investor safeguards,” said David Graham, HKEX’s Chief Regulatory Officer and Head of Listing.

“We believe we have put together a regime that is the best way forward to meet the competitive demands of the market whilst maintaining our high standards of investor protection.” The public comment period ends on 23 March 2018. www.hkex.com.hk (ATI).