HongKong Company Registration
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Hong Kong Listing refers to the initial public offering (Initial Public Offerings) in Hong Kong.The enterprise offers the shares to investors through the stock exchange publicly for the first time , in order to raise capital for the development of enterprises. Hong Kong offers many outstanding benefits for companies to list in it.
Advantages of listing in Hong Kong
1. Gateway to Mainland China and the Rest of Asia
With close trading and business links to Mainland China and other Asian economies, Hong Kong is strategically located in a high growth region. As an internationally recognized financial centre with an abundance of professional expertise, its stock exchange has provided many Asian and multinational companies with fund raising opportunities.
2. Mainland China’s Growth
Hong Kong is an ideal place for companies seeking exposure in the rapidly growing Mainland Chinese market. Companies can take advantage of the multitude of opportunities offered by China’s arrival as a global economic power.
3. Respected and Well Established Legal System
Hong Kong has a well established legal system based on English common law, which provides a strong and attractive foundation for companies’ fund raising and helps instill confidence in investors.
4. International Accounting Standards
Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards. HK also accept the use of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (US GAAP) or other accounting standards, in specific circumstances, particularly for secondary listings.
5. Sound Regulatory Framework
HK Listing Rules are on a par with international standards and demand a high level of disclosure from listed companies. International corporate governance requirements ensure that investors have access to timely information which allows them to appraise the position and prospects of listed companies at all times.
6. Free Flow of Capital
Hong Kong is one of the most open markets in the world. With zero capital flow restrictions, numerous tax advantages, currency convertibility and the free transferability of securities, Hong Kong offers an attractive market for both companies and investors alike.
7. Advanced Clearing and Settlement Infrastructure and Financial Services
Hong Kong boasts sound and solid securities and banking sectors supported by a strong trading, clearing and settlement infrastructure.
8. Home International Market for Mainland Chinese Companies
As Hong Kong is part of China, its market is the first choice for Mainland Chinese companies seeking a listing on an international market. Statistics show its stock exchange has a significant portion of the trading in shares of Mainland Chinese enterprises listed in Hong Kong and other markets outside the Mainland.
Listing Requirements on Hong Kong Stock Exchange Main Board
1. Financial Requirements:
A Main Board new applicant must have a trading record of not less than three financial years and meet one of the following three financial criteria:
1.1Profit Test
Profit Attributable to Shareholders is at least HK$50 million in the last 3 financial years (with profits of at least HK$20 million recorded in the most recent year, and aggregate profits of at least HK$30 million recorded in the
2 years before that.
Market Cap is at least HK$200 million at the time of listing.
1.2 Market Cap/Revenue Test
Market Cap is at least HK$4 billion at the time of listing.
Revenue is at least HK$500 million for the most recent audited financial year.
1.3Market Cap/ Revenue/ Cash flow Test
Market Cap is at least HK$2 billion at the time of listing.
Revenue is at least HK$500 million for the most recent audited financial year.
Positive cash flow from operating activities of at least HK$100 million in aggregate for the three preceding financial years.
Note: The Exchange may accept a shorter trading record period and/or may vary or waive the above profit or other financial standards requirement.
2. Acceptable Jurisdictions:
Applicants incorporated outside Hong Kong and other recognized jurisdictions seeking a primary listing on Main Board are assessed on a case-by-case basis and have to demonstrate they are subject to appropriate standards of shareholder protection, which are at least equivalent to those required under Hong Kong law. A roadmap that compromises a schedule of shareholder protection matters is set out in the attachment to the Joint Policy Statement dated 7 March 2007 to distil the key requirements for ensuring appropriate standards of shareholder protection from Exchange’s current approach.
3. Accounting Standards:
A new applicant’s accounts must be prepared in accordance with either Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards or International Financial Reporting Standards.
Banking companies must also comply with the Financial Disclosure by Locally Incorporated Authorized Institutions issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
For Main Board new applicants, accounts of an oversea-incorporated issuer prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (US GAAP) or other accounting standards may be acceptable by the Exchange under certain circumstances.
4. Suitability for Listing:
Both the issuer and its business must, in the opinion of the Exchange, be suitable for listing. An issuer or its group (other than an investment company) whose assets consist wholly or substantially of cash or short-dated securities will not normally be regarded as suitable for listing, except where the issuer or group is solely or mainly engaged in the securities brokerage business.
5. Operating History and Management:
A Main Board new applicant must have a trading record period of at least 3 financial years with:
Management continuity for at least the 3 preceding financial years;
Ownership continuity and control for at least the most recent audited financial year.
Exception: Under the Market Cap/Revenue test, the Exchange may accept a shorter trading record period under substantially the same management if the new applicant can demonstrate that:
Its directors and management have sufficient and satisfactory experience of at least three years in the line of business and industry of the new applicant;
Management continuity for the most recent audited financial year.
6. Minimum Market Capitalization:
The expected market capitalization of a new applicant at the time of listing must be at least HK$200 million.
7. Market Capitalization of Public Float:
The expected market capitalization at the time of listing of the securities of a new applicant which are held by the public must be at least HK$50 million.
8. Public Float:
At least 25% of the issuer’s total issued share capital must at all times be held by the public. Where the issuer has one class of securities or more, the total securities of the issuer held by the public at the time of listing must be at least 25% of the issuer’s total issued share capital. However, the class of securities for which listing is sought must not be less that 15% of the issuer’s total issued share capital, having an expected market capitalization at the time of listing of not less than HK$50 million.
The Exchange may, at its discretion, accept a lower percentage of between 15% and 25% in the case of issuers with an expected market capitalization at the time of listing of over HK$10 billion.
9. Spread of Shareholders:
For issuers qualified for listing :
The profit test or the market capitalisation/revenue/cashflow test: 300 shareholders
The market capitalization/revenue test: 1,000 shareholders
Not more than 50% of the securities in public hands at the time of listing can be beneficially owned by the three largest public shareholders.
10. Offering Mechanism:
A new applicant may not list by way of placing only if there is likely to be significant public demand for its securities.
The Main Board Listing Rules set out certain procedures to be adopted in the allocation of shares in initial public offerings. For further details, please see Practice Note 18 of the Main Board Listing Rules on Initial Public Offer of Securities.
11. New Issue Price:
Listing Rules do not impose conditions on the new issue price. However, new shares cannot be issued at a price below their nominal value.
Contact Us
If you have further queries, don’t hesitate to contact ATAHK anytime, anywhere by simply visiting ATAHK’s website www.3737580.net , or calling Hong Kong hotline at 852-27826888 or China hotline at 86-755-82143422, or emailing to susiehu@citilinkia.com.