Corporate Law Updates

Find out all about our firm’s latest Corporate Law Updates below. To learn more about any individual item, please contact us here.

14 Dec 2023

THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION PUBLISHED THE CIRCULAR ON TOKENISATION OF SFC-AUTHORISED INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

On 2 November 2023, the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (the “SFC”) issued a circular (the “Circular”) regarding the tokenisation of SFC-authorised investment products for offering to the public in Hong Kong. 

Background 

Tokenisation of investment products is a process that leverages blockchain technology to represent ownership in traditional investment assets, such as real estate, stocks, bonds, or funds, through digital tokens.  Please also see our news update in relation to the Guide to Digital Assets and Tokens in Hong Kong.  These tokens are created on a blockchain network and serve as digital representations of the underlying assets, made available directly to individual investors, distributed by the intermediaries who are licensed by the SFC, or traded among the blockchain participants, in accordance with applicable regulations.

In Hong Kong, certain stakeholders have already initiated or are actively exploring the tokenisation of securities and other investment products in which the tokenisation is expected to be capable of enhancing product efficiency, lowering operational expenses by decreasing dependence on intermediaries, and accessing the end-investors through new channels.

To meet market demand and support the growth of the market, the SFC has been evaluating different suggestions related to the tokenisation of investment products.  These proposals encompass a range of activities, including primary transactions involving tokenised products such as subscriptions and redemptions, as well as secondary trading of tokenised products on virtual asset trading platforms licensed by the SFC.  The SFC believes that employing a see-through approach is suitable to permit primary dealing of tokenised SFC-authorised investment products.  Nevertheless, this is contingent upon the underlying product meeting all the relevant requirements for product authorisation and the implementation of additional safeguards to address the potential risks associated with the tokenisation arrangement.

Conversely, the secondary trading of SFC-authorised investment products that have been tokenised requires greater caution and meticulous evaluation to ensure that investors receive a level of protection that is substantially equivalent to that provided for non-tokenised products.  Several factors need to be considered, including maintaining accurate and immediate records of token ownership, the preparedness of trading infrastructure and market participants to facilitate liquidity, and the equitable pricing of tokenised products, among other considerations.

Guidelines pertaining to the primary dealing of tokenised SFC-authorised investment products 

Product providers of tokenised SFC-authorised investment products must ensure that the underlying products comply with the applicable requirements outlined in relevant rules, regulations and product codes.  These requirements encompass various aspects, including the eligibility of product providers, product structure, investment and operational criteria, disclosure obligations, and ongoing compliance responsibilities.  In addition, requirements in the Circular on intermediaries engaging in tokenised securities-related activities released by the SFC on 2 November 2023 (the “Tokenised Securities Circular”) should also be satisfied (please see our news update on the Tokenised Securities Circular). 

1.      Tokenisation arrangement

Considering that tokenised products are publicly offered in Hong Kong and the significance of accurately reflecting investors’ ownership through proper records, product providers have a ultimate responsibility for the management and operational soundness of the tokenisation arrangement adopted, as well as the accurate record-keeping of ownership, regardless of any outsourcing arrangements.  They should ensure the proper maintenance of records regarding token holders’ ownership interests in the product, while ensuring operational compatibility with the involved service providers.  Further, they must also implement suitable measures to identify, manage, and mitigate cybersecurity risks, ensure data privacy, address system outages and recovery, and maintain a comprehensive and robust business continuity plan.

When utilising blockchain networks, product providers should avoid using public-permissionless networks without adequate controls. Instead, they should impose additional control by employing a permissioned token.  Product Providers are required to, confirm and, when requested by the SFC, demonstrate to the satisfaction of the SFC the management and operational soundness of the tokenisation arrangement, record-keeping of ownership, and the integrity of smart contracts.

Upon request from the SFC, product providers should obtain third-party audits or verifications to assess the management and operational soundness of the tokenisation arrangement, record-keeping of ownership, and integrity of smart contracts.  Furthermore, product providers should obtain satisfactory legal opinions to support their applications upon SFC’s request.

2.      Disclosure

The offering documents for a tokenised SFC-authorised investment product should provide clear information on the following:

(i)               the tokenisation arrangement, including explicit disclosure regarding whether off-chain or on-chain settlement is considered final;

(ii)              the ownership representation of the tokens, such as details about legal and beneficial title, as well as ownership of or interests in the product; and

(iii)             the risks associated with the tokenisation arrangement, for instance, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, system outages, the potential existence of undiscovered technical flaws, the evolving regulatory landscape, and potential challenges related to the application of existing laws.

For more disclosure requirements, please also refer to paragraphs 19 to 20 of the Tokenised Securities Circular.

3.      Intermediaries and staff competence

Distributors of tokenised SFC-authorised investment products as well as product providers who distribute their own products must be regulated intermediaries such as SFC-licensed corporations or registered institutions.  They are required to adhere to the relevant requirements outlined in existing rules, codes, and guidelines.  This includes meeting obligations related to client onboarding requirements and conducting suitability assessments on their investors.  Product providers are also required to provide confirmation to the SFC that they have at least one competent staff member with relevant experience and expertise to operate and/or supervise the tokenisation arrangement and to manage the new risks associated with ownership and technology in an appropriate manner.

Prior consultation and approval

For investment products with tokenisation features that intend to seek authorisation from the SFC, prior consultation with the SFC is necessary. The same applies to the tokenisation of existing SFC-authorised investment products, which may require prior approval, for instance, approval should be obtained before adding the disclosure of new tokenised unit/share class of an SFC-authorised fund in the Hong Kong offering documents and offering it to the public in Hong Kong.

Considering the dynamic nature of this field, the SFC reserves the right to provide additional guidance or impose further requirements specific to tokenised SFC-authorised investment products as deemed appropriate.

Analysis and takeaway

The Circular sets out the requirements under which the SFC would consider allowing tokenisation of SFC-authorised investment products for offering to the public in Hong Kong.  The SFC’s evaluation of proposals and support for the tokenisation of investment products indicates the recognition of the market potential in Hong Kong.  Tokenisation can provide opportunities for increased market efficiency, reduced costs, and expanded access to investment products for investors.  Also, it may facilitate streamlining of processes and reduce reliance on intermediaries.

While the SFC recognises the potential benefits of tokenisation, it also places emphasis on investor protection and regulatory oversight.  The SFC aims to strike a balance between accelerating the growth of tokenised investment products and ensuring that market participants adhere to the necessary requirements and safeguards.  Ongoing communication among market participants, investors and the regulatory, and vigilance in mitigating risks, would be crucial in this evolving landscape.

Please contact our Partner Mr. Rodney Teoh for any enquiries or further information.

This news update is for information purposes only. Its content does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. Stevenson, Wong & Co. will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from or in connection with any decision made, action or inaction taken in reliance on the information set out herein.

13 Dec 2023

THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION PUBLISHED CIRCULAR ON INTERMEDIARIES ENGAGING IN TOKENISED SECURITIES-RELATED ACTIVITIES

Introduction

On 2 November 2023, the Securities and Futures Commission (the “SFC”) published a Circular on intermediaries engaging in tokenised securities-related activities (the “Circular”) to clarify regulatory expectations for intermediaries engaged in the said activities.  This Circular will supersede the Statement on Security Token Offerings published (the “Statement”) by the SFC on 28 March 2019.

The Circular first distinguished between “Digital Securities” and “Tokenised Securities”.  “Digital Securities” are defined as “securities” under section 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) (the “SFO”) which adopt distributed ledger technology (“DLT”) or similar technology in their lifecycle; while the SFC classifies “Tokenised Securities” as a subset of “Digital Securities”, encompassing traditional financial instruments (like bonds or funds) which are also “securities” that utilise DLT or similar technology in their lifecycle.  Examples of “Digital Securities” which are not “Tokenised Securities” include tokenisation of fractionalised interests in real world or digital assets such that the arrangement would amount to collective investments schemes (“CIS”).

Key points from the Circular

Nature of Tokenised Securities
  • ·        Existing legal and regulatory requirements governing traditional securities market continue to apply to Tokenised Securities
  • ·        Offerings of Tokenised Securities would be subject to the prospectus regime under the Companies (Winding up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) (the “C(WUMP)O”) and the offers of investments regime under Part IV of the SFO
  • ·        Conduct of intermediaries are also governed by existing conduct requirements for securities related activities

 

New risks arising from tokenisation
  • ·        SFC reaffirms its overarching approach of “same business, same risks, same rules” when dealing with tokenisation of securities
  • ·        SFC also reminded intermediaries to manage new risks associated with tokenisation of securities, including:
    • o   ownership risks (i.e. transfer and record of ownership interest in tokenised securities, etc.); and
    • o   technology risks (i.e. forking, blockchain network outages and cybersecurity risks, etc.)

 

Considerations for engaging in Tokenised Securities-related activities Intermediaries should act with due skill, care and diligence, and perform due diligence on the Tokenised Securities based on all the available information to identify the key features and risks

 

Issuance of Tokenised Securities

  • ·        Intermediaries (where they issue or are substantially involved in the issuance of Tokenised Securities they intend to deal in or advise on) remain responsible for the overall operation of the tokenisation arrangement notwithstanding any outsourcing to third-party vendors/service providers
  • ·        Intermediaries to take into account the list of non-exhaustive factors set out in Part A of the appendix to the Circular
  • ·        Intermediaries to take into account the features and risks of the Tokenised Securities in considering the most appropriate custodial arrangement for the Tokenised Securities

 

Dealing in, advising on, or managing portfolios investing in Tokenised Securities

  • ·        Intermediaries to conduct due diligence on the issuers and their third-party vendors/service providers involved in the tokenisation arrangement as well as the features and risks arising from the tokenisation arrangement
  • ·        Intermediaries to understand and be satisfied with the controls implemented by the issuers and their third-party vendors/service providers

 

Information for clients
  • ·        Intermediaries to make adequate disclosure of relevant material information specific to Tokenised Securities (including the risks of the Tokenised Securities) and communicate such information in a clear and easily comprehensible manner
  • ·        Intermediaries to provide clients with material information on the tokenisation arrangement, e.g.:
    • o   whether off-chain or on-chain settlement is final;
    • o   the limitations imposed on transfers of the Tokenised Securities (if any);
    • o   whether a smart contract audit has been conducted before deployment of the smart contract (if any);
    • o   key administrative controls and business continuity planning for DLT-related events; and
    • o   the custodial arrangement (if applicable).

 

Clarifications regarding SFC’s previous Statement on Security Token Offerings Complex product categorisation

  • ·        Whether a Tokenised Security is a complex product or not is based on an assessment of the complexity of its underlying traditional security (i.e., a see-through approach should be adopted in assessing complexity)
  • ·        Intermediaries should determine whether a Tokenised Security is complex or not by assessing the underlying traditional security having regard to the factors set out in:
    • o   Chapter 6 of the Guidelines on Online Distribution and Advisory Platforms; and
    • o   Paragraph 5.5 of the Code of Conduct for Persons Licensed by or Registered with the SFC

 

Professional investors (“PI”)-only restriction

  • ·        The SFC is of the view that there would be no need to impose a mandatory PI-only restriction
  • ·        Intermediaries are reminded that the requirements of the prospectus regime under the C(WUMP)O and the offers of investments regime under Part IV of the SFO would apply to the offering of Tokenised Securities to the public of Hong Kong (the “Public Offering Regimes”)
  • ·        Offer of Tokenised Securities that is not authorised under the Public Offering Regimes could only be made to PIs or pursuant to any other applicable exemption

 

Clarifications of other requirements Fund managers managing portfolios which may invest in Tokenised Securities

  • ·        “De minimis threshold” under the Terms and Conditions only applies to virtual assets as defined in section 53ZRA of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615)
  • ·        The SFC would not impose the terms and conditions for licensed corporations or registered institutions which manage portfolios that invest in virtual assets on fund managers managing portfolios investing in Tokenised Securities meeting the “de minimis threshold” unless the portfolios also invest in virtual assets meeting the “de minimis threshold”

 

Virtual asset trading platform operators (“VATPs”) licensed by the SFC and the applicable insurance/compensation arrangement

  • ·        VATPs are required to put in place a compensation arrangement approved by the SFC to cover the potential loss of security tokens in compliance with paragraph 10.22 of the Guidelines for Virtual Asset Trading Platform Operators.  The SFC may exclude certain Tokenised Securities from the required coverage by VATPs on a case-by-case basis
  • ·        VATPs will need to demonstrate to the SFC’s satisfaction that the risk of financial loss to its clients holding those Tokenised Securities can be effectively mitigated if the Tokenised Securities become lost

 

Digital Securities-related activities
  • ·        Where Digital Securities are distributed on an online platform, it must be properly designed and have appropriate access rights and controls to ensure compliance with selling restrictions which may be applicable to those Digital Securities
  • ·        Digital Securities which are not Tokenised Securities are likely to be regarded as “complex products”
  • ·        Intermediaries to implement adequate systems and controls to ensure compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory requirements before they engage in activities relating to Digital Securities

 

Notification and provision of information to the SFC
  • ·        Intermediaries which are interested in engaging in any activities involving any Digital Securities (including Tokenised Securities) should notify and discuss their business plans with their case officer in the SFC in advance

 

 

Analysis and takeaways

As reflected in the Circular, the SFC acknowledges the growing interest and potential benefits of tokenisation in the financial market.  With more intermediaries exploring the tokenisation of securities and the distribution of tokenised assets, there is a need for guidance and regulatory certainty to manage the associated risks.  By providing guidance on addressing new risks and ensuring investor protection, the SFC aims to foster a healthy tokenisation marketplace.

Please contact our Partner Mr. Rodney Teoh for any enquiries or further information.

This news update is for information purposes only. Its content does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. Stevenson, Wong & Co. will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from or in connection with any decision made, action or inaction taken in reliance on the information set out herein.

30 Oct 2023

Partner Rodney Teoh Invited as Keynote Speaker at“Opportunity for RWA (Real World Asset) Tokenization” Seminar

On 6 October 2023, our Partner Mr. Rodney Teoh was invited as a keynote speaker at the 2023 Digital Asset Series (DAS) Seminar titled “Opportunity for RWA (Real World Asset) Tokenization” took place at the HKUST Business School.

Rodney delivered an engaging and insightful keynote address “Raising capital in the web3 era”. He provided a comprehensive overview of recent deals in Hong Kong and highlighted key developments in RWA tokenization around the globe. He also shared valuable insights into transaction structures, requirements, and challenges associated with Security Token Offerings (STOs).

Following his keynote speech, Rodney participated in a panel discussion with the other speakers, including Mr. Samson Lee, Founder and CEO at Coinstreet, Mr. Robert Lui, Hong Kong Digital Asset Leader at Deloitte, Mr. Michael Wong, President of Society of Registered Financial Planners, and Mr. Kevin Ho, COO of Fusang to engage in further discussion on the topic of Security Token and RWA Tokenization.

The seminar received an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience, attracting over 80 participants from various sectors and industries.

About Digital Asset Series (DAS)

DAS is a series of educational seminars delivered by industry leaders and practitioners, legal and consulting professionals, regulators, and academic scholars from the fintech ecosystem in Hong Kong. The objective of DAS is to educate the general public about the ever-growing landscape of digital assets and facilitate mass adoption by covering key topics across the digital asset space including Investment Strategies, Asset Management, Security Tokens, Web3, Metaverse, NFT, Regulatory, Stablecoin, CBDC, DeFi, Cryptocurrencies, ESG, Impact and Social Good.

For more information, please contact our Partner Rodney Teoh.

17 Oct 2023

(中文) 证监会刊发有关《公司收购丶合并及股份回购守则》的建议修訂的咨询总结

(中文)

 

引言

于2023年9月21日,证券及期货事务监察委员会(「证监会」)就《公司收购丶合并及股份回购守则》(「《收购合并守则》」)的建议修訂刊发咨询总结 (「咨询总结」)。证监会先前已在2023年5月19日刊发有关咨询文件(「咨询文件」)。

在截至2023年6月23日的咨询期间,证监会总共收到了12份来自公众的回应。在考虑了回应者提出的意见后,证监会采纳了咨询文件中提出的所有修訂案,其中进行了一些轻微修改。关于将要对《收购合并守则》进行的修訂的详细信息,请参阅我们在咨询文件上的新闻快讯。上述修訂已于2023年9月29日生效。

证监会在咨询总结的附录2标注了对咨询文件中原始提案的几处修改,其中与咨询文件中有所不同的重要变更总结如下:

第2部:连锁关系原则

在咨询文件中,证监会提议扩大规则26.1的注释8,目的是针对证监会企业融资部的执行人员(「执行人员」)就以下情况作出决定时将会考虑的因素,提供更佳的指引:如一个人或一组人取得或巩固第一间公司的控制权,而第一间公司持有第二间公司30%或以上的投票权,那么是否须就第二间公司作出强制全面要约。鉴于市值有其客观性,以及是用来表示公司规模的公认指标,证监会采纳了市值作为其中一项比较参数。

因为有关修订有助釐清是否须作出连锁关系原则要约,建议加入的内容广受回应者的正面反馈。为应对其中一项意见,证监会在咨询总结中进行了轻微修改,以釐清草案草拟过程中市值测试只有两间公司均为上市公司的情况下方属相关。

第3部:要约期及时间表(私有化行动及私有化交易中第60天的最后可能期限)

证监会建议对规则15.5作出修订,藉以将其惯常做法编纂为守则条文,即就第60天(一项要约就接纳而言须宣布为无条件的最后日期)的延期给予同意,而该日期在经延迟后不会超过要约文件发送后的四个月,这与规则2.11的精神相符。尽管有一名回应者建议将「第60天」一词重新命名,证监会认为沿用该词有其可取之处因「第60天」普遍被市场理解为一项要约就接纳而言可宣布为无条件的最后日期。鉴于有一条评论要求执行人员釐清规则15.5下的4个月期间应始于最初的要约文件的日期,还是任何修订要约文件的日期,证监会明确表示应始于最初的要约文件的日期,这亦与规则2.11的精神相符。

第5部:部分要约 (就可转换证券及认股权证等作出的同等基础的要约)

咨询文件第5部建议增加规则28.10,规定在部分要约中就可转换证券、期权及认购权作出规则13下的同等基础的要约,以纳入在部分要约中作出有关要约的这个市场惯常做法。在咨询总结中,证监会已对新规则28.10的建议措辞作出修订,而现实所指的是「同等基础的」要约而非「适当」要约,以釐清可转换证券的要约只需按与股份的部分要约相同的百分比作出。

第7部:杂项修订(场内股份回购的定义)

证监会在咨询文件中建议场内股份回购应定义为仅限于必须藉着联合交易所的自动对盘系统来进行的股份回购,即买盘及卖盘须透过一个自动化系统来进行对盘。此外,回购其股份的公司及该公司的董事不应直接或间接涉及招揽、拣选或识别股份的卖方。证监会认为使用自动对盘系统来进行交易是一个良好的表面指标,显示有关公司及其董事没有涉及股份回购。

所有回应者均支持有关的建议修订,亦有一位要求证监会釐清,委任经纪进行股份回购这行为本身是不会令有关公司或其董事被视为直接或间接涉及招揽、拣选或识别卖方的。因此,证监会在咨询总结中添加了以下注释:

「场内股份回购的定义的注释:

委任经纪进行股份回购本身不会令有关公司或其董事被视为涉及招揽、拣选或识别股份的卖方。」

分析和总结

为了增加市场对于规则执行的确定性,证监会在咨询文件中对执行人员现有的做法编进规例,并在咨询总结中进一步进行了相关澄清。对于在《收购合并守则》的修订生效之前已经宣布的交易,证监会在咨询总结中建议相关人士咨询执行人员,以寻求对各方公平的解决方案。

如有任何查询或进一步资料,请联系我们的合伙人张源辉律师

本新闻简讯更新仅供参考。其内容不构成法律咨询意见,不应视为法律咨询意见。史蒂文生黄律师事务所不会就任何因倚赖本处所载资料而作出的决定、采取的行动或不采取的行动所引致的或与之有关的任何特别、间接或间接损失或损害向阁下承担法律责任。

 

10 Oct 2023

THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE PUBLISHED CONSULTATION PAPER ON GEM LISTING REFORMS

Introduction 

On 26 September 2023, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”) published a consultation paper (the “Consultation Paper”) inviting public feedback on its proposed GEM listing reforms.

The proposed reforms aim at bolstering GEM’s attractiveness while maintaining high standards of investor protection.  The three main proposals include: (1) a new alternative eligibility test for companies in the high-growth segment; (2) removal of quarterly reporting requirements; and (3) a new streamlined transfer mechanism for eligible GEM companies to transfer to the Main Board.  The consultation period would last for six weeks, ending on 6 November 2023.

Proposed Reforms

Initial Listing Requirements

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange noted that GEM’s positive cash flow requirement deters the listing of companies with high growth potential that do not have a track record of positive operating cash flow since they are engaged heavily in R&D.  With reference to the Beijing Stock Exchange’s adoption of R&D spending as an initial listing eligibility criterion, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange proposes to introduce an alternative financial eligibility test targeting high growth enterprises that are heavily engaged in R&D activities (the “market capitalisation / revenue / R&D test”).

Under the market capitalisation / revenue / R&D test, GEM listing applicants must have:

(a)   an adequate trading record of at least two financial years;

(b)   an expected market capitalisation of at least HK$250 million at the time of listing;

(c)   revenue of at least HK$100 million in aggregate for the two most recent audited financial years, with year-on-year growth over the two financial years; and

(d)   incurred R&D expenditure of at least HK$30 million in aggregate for the two financial years prior to listing, where the R&D expenditure incurred for each financial year must be at least 15% of its total operating expenditure for the same period.

Lock-up period

Given shell activities have largely ceased due to joint efforts of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Securities and Futures Commission, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange considers it unnecessary to have a prolonged lock-up period for GEM controlling shareholders.  Therefore, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange also proposed to reduce the post-IPO lock-up period imposed on GEM controlling shareholders from 24 months to 12 months.

Continuing Obligations

To reduce the compliance costs incurred by GEM issuers, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange purported to align the relevant GEM’s continuing obligations in line with those for Main Board issuers.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange proposed removing quarterly reporting as a mandatory requirement for GEM issuers.  Nevertheless, quarterly financial reporting will be a recommended best practice in GEM’s Corporate Governance Code.  As a result, a GEM issuer would be required to publish only:

(a)   annual reports not later than four months after the end of each financial year; and

(b)   interim reports not later than three months after the end of the first six months of each financial year.

Accordingly, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange suggested requiring a GEM issuer to publish preliminary announcements of results for the first six months of each financial year not later than two months (instead of the shorter 45 days now required) after the end of that six-month period.

With a view to match GEM issuer’s ongoing compliance officer and compliance adviser obligations with those of the Main Board, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange also proposed to:

(a)   remove the existing requirement for one of the executive directors of a GEM issuer to assume responsibility for acting as the issuer’s compliance officer; and

(b)   shorten the period of engagement of the compliance adviser of a GEM issuer so that it ends on the date on which the issuer publishes its financial results for the first (instead of the second) full financial year commencing after the date of its initial listing.

It is worth noting that certain GEM requirements in relation to the compliance adviser’s responsibilities are to be removed, including: (1) due diligence on listing documents published, and dealing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in relation to certain transactions during the period of engagement of the compliance adviser; and (2) disclosure of interests of the compliance adviser for this purpose.

Transfer Mechanism

Following the abolishment of the previous GEM streamlined process in 2018, GEM has been positioned as a “stand-alone board” for small and/or medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”).  As a number of targeted actions have been taken to tackle the issues relating to shell activities, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange now considers it appropriate to reinstate a streamlined transfer mechanism to enable qualified GEM issuers to transfer their listings to the Main Board, without the need to (1) appoint a sponsor to carry out due diligence, or (2) produce a “prospectus-standard” listing document.

Under the streamlined transfer mechanism, a GEM issuer that intends to transfer to the Main Board must:

(a)   meet all the qualifications for listing on the Main Board;

(b)   have published financial results for three full financial years as a GEM issuer with ownership continuity and control and no fundamental change in its principal business;

(c)   meet

  • i.          a daily turnover test – a streamlined transfer applicant must have reached a prescribed minimum daily turnover threshold (proposed to be either HK$100,000 or HK$50,000) on at least 50% of the trading days over a prescribed reference period of 250 trading days before the transfer application and until the commencement of dealings on the Main Board (the “Reference Period”);
  • ii.          a volume weighted average market capitalisation test – a streamlined transfer applicant must have a volume weighted average market capitalisation over the Reference Period that could meet the minimum market capitalisation requirement for Main Board listing; and
  • iii.          a clean compliance record – requirement over the 12 months preceding the transfer application and until the commencement of dealings on the Main Board.

Where a GEM issuer cannot meet these eligibility requirements under the streamlined transfer mechanism, the issuer may still apply for a transfer to the Main Board under the existing requirements.

Analysis and takeaways

The last key reform to GEM took place in 2018 with an aim to improve the overall quality of GEM listings.  However, in view of the rapid development of stock exchanges in other jurisdictions, in particular the Beijing Stock Exchange in recent years, GEM seems to have lost competitiveness to its counterparts.  The general lack of GEM listings in the recent years is noted.  Therefore, there has long been a demand for transformation of GEM to vitalise its competitiveness to SMEs.

In this long-awaited reform proposal, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has proposed to reinstate the streamlined transfer mechanism.  While attempting to encourage new GEM listings, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange appears to be cautious in outlining the proposed reforms to strike a balance between facilitating fundraising and investor protection.  It remains to be seen whether the proposed reforms would be perceived as conducive to reviving the GEM market.

Please contact our Partner Mr. Rodney Teoh for any enquiries or further information.

This news update is for information purposes only. Its content does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. Stevenson, Wong & Co. will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from or in connection with any decision made, action or inaction taken in reliance on the information set out herein.

 

29 Sep 2023

THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION PUBLISHED THE CONSULTATION CONCLUSIONS ON AMENDMENTS TO THE CODES ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS AND SHARE BUY-BACKS

Introduction

On 21 September 2023, the Securities and Futures Commission (the “SFC”) published the consultation conclusions (the “Consultation Conclusions”) addressing comments on the amendments to the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buy-backs (the “Codes”) proposed in its consultation paper dated 19 May 2023 (the “Consultation Paper”).

During the consultation period which ended on 23 June 2023, the SFC received in total 12 responses from the public.  After considering the comments made by the respondents, the SFC has adopted all of the amendments proposed in the Consultation Paper, some with slight modifications.  For more details of the amendments to be made to the Codes, please refer to our news update on the Consultation Paper.  The said amendments have become effective on 29 September 2023.

The SFC has marked the several modifications to its original proposals in Appendix 2 of the Consultation Conclusions, of which the material changes from the Consultation Paper are summarised below:

Part 2: The Chain Principle
 
In the Consultation Paper, the SFC proposed to expand Note 8 to Rule 26.1 to give better guidance on the factors to be considered by the Executive Director of the Corporate Finance Division of the SFC (the “Executive”) in deciding whether a mandatory general offer for the second company is required when statutory control of the first company that holds 30% or more of the voting rights of the second company is obtained or consolidated by a person or group of persons.  The SFC adopted market capitalisation as one of the comparison parameters in light of its objectivity and that it is a widely accepted indicator of company size.

The proposed amendment was generally well received by the respondents as it could provide clarity on assessing whether a chain principle offer is required.  In response to one of the comments, the SFC made a slight modification in the Consultation Conclusions to clarify in the drafting that the market capitalisation test is only relevant where both companies are listed.
 
Part 3: Offer Period and Timetable (Last possible day for Day 60 in privatisations and take-private transactions)

The SFC proposed to amend Rule 15.5 to codify its practice that any consents to extend “Day 60” (the last day on which an offer must be declared unconditional as to acceptances) would not exceed 4 months after the despatch of the offer document, which is in line with the spirit of Rule 2.11.  Despite a comment suggesting the term “Day 60” be renamed, the SFC believes keeping the use of such term has its merits as it is commonly understood by the market to refer to the last day on which an offer can be declared unconditional as to acceptance.  In light of a comment requesting the Executive to clarify whether the 4-month period under Rule 15.5 should start from the initial offer document or the date of any revised offer document, the SFC made clear that it runs from the date of the initial offer document, consistent with the spirit of Rule 2.11.

Part 5: Partial Offers (Comparable offer for convertible securities, warrants, etc.)

Part 5 of the Consultation Paper proposed the addition of Rule 28.10, requiring Rule 13 comparable offers for convertibles, warrants options and subscription rights in a partial offer to incorporate the market practice of making such offers in a partial offer.  In the Consultation Conclusions, the proposed wording of the new Rule 28.10 has been modified and now refers to “comparable” offers rather than “appropriate” offers to elucidate that an offer for convertibles only have to be made for the same percentage as the partial offer for shares.

Part 7: Miscellaneous Amendments (Definition of “on-market share buy-back”)

The SFC proposed in the Consultation Paper to define that on-market share buy-backs are only limited to those made according to the Stock Exchange’s automatic order matching system where buy-orders and sell-orders are matched through an automated system.  Moreover, the company buying back its shares and its directors should not have any involvement in the solicitation, selection or identification of the seller of the shares (whether directly or indirectly).  The use of the automatic order matching system was considered by the SFC to be a good prima facie indicator that the company and its directors are not involved in the share buy-back.

All respondents were supportive of the proposed amendment, while one requested the SFC to confirm that the appointment of a broker to effect a share buy-back is not by itself considered as direct or indirect involvement by the company or its directors in soliciting, selecting or identifying sellers.  Therefore, in the Consultation Conclusions, the SFC added the following note:

Note to the definition of on-market share buy-back:
 
The appointment of a broker to effect buying-back of shares would not in itself be treated as the company or its directors being involved in the solicitation, selection or identification of sellers of shares.

Analysis and Takeaways

With a view to bringing greater certainty to the market, the SFC has put enormous effort in codifying the Executive’s existing practice in the Consultation Paper, and has further made clarifications to the same in the Consultation Conclusions.  As to the transactions that have already been announced before the amendments come into force, it is advised in the Consultation Conclusions that the Executive be consulted to then search for a fair solution for all parties involved.

Please contact our Mr. Rodney Teoh (Partner) for any enquiries or further information.

This news update is for information purposes only. Its content does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. Stevenson, Wong & Co. will not be liable to you in respect of any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from or in connection with any decision made, action or inaction taken in reliance on the information set out herein.

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