Last week saw a little noticed event in the cosy world of investment banking, with Russian (and emerging markets) firm Renaissance Capital calling it quits, and closing its offices in both Hong Kong and Beijing after only two years on the ground in Asia. read
A guest column I wrote for the China Economic Review.
2011 was a year marred by extreme volatility in markets, an earthquake and tsunami that disrupted global supply chains, renewed inflationary worries in Asia and, above all, the near collapse of the euro zone. read
A Happy New Year to all! Set out below is a piece I wrote in today’s South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, looking at the year that was and at prospects for IPOs in the city.
Last year was difficult for Hong Kong initial public offerings. True, about US$32 billion was raised from 69 flotations as of December 15, according to the Hong Kong Exchange (thereby enabling the city to retain its global crown for IPO fund-raising, ahead of Shenzhen and New York), but last year was also notable for the below-par performance of most new issues – with many down by 20 per cent or more from their offer prices. read
On 3 November 2011, I gave a presentation at the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEx) on opportunities for listing European companies there. The presentation was organized at the initiative of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and of the EU Business Information Programme (EUBIP). read
HONG KONG (Dow Jones Investment Banker) – The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEx) is reportedly trying to woo Spain’s Inditex to list in Asia, as part of an international marketing roadshow in Europe in November. Such a move would make little sense if what is suggested is a secondary listing. But a spin-off in Hong Kong of the group’s fast-growing regional operations could be an attractive move. read
Citic Securities formally started book building for its US$2 billion Hong Kong float on Friday. This is a marquee deal likely to generate a lot of interest. Investors have made a pile of money participating in IPOs of mainland financial institutions, and there is hope Citic can repeat that magic despite the challenging market conditions.
HONG KONG (Dow Jones Investment Banker) – The long-awaited equity offering by China’s CITIC Securities Company Limited is finally under way. The brokerage is looking to raise up to US$2 billion from investors, and secure a secondary listing in Hong Kong. Bookbuilding is set to start on September 16, for an October 6 closing. Although CITIC Securities has been listed on the Mainland since 2003, its preliminary filing with HKEx provides a fascinating glimpse into China’s domestic investment banking industry and the activities of one of the leading houses there.
HONG KONG (Dow Jones Investment Banker) – Japanese fashion retailer Baroque Japan Ltd. is eyeing an IPO of up to US$300 million in Hong Kong, through CLSA and UBS. It may perhaps be better advised to wait until its international store network becomes wider, and the brand more mature.
Against the background of a morose Hong Kong IPO market, two large deals are entering marketing this week in the form of a US$5.4 billion (estimated) proposed listing of China Everbright Bank, and a mooted US$1 billion float of Chinese hypermarket operator Sun Art Retail. read
Secondary listings are circling the Hong Kong stock exchange. But why? The exercise is of dubious value to issuer or investor. read
