The last few months have been a bit of a roller coaster for Chinese equities, both on the mainland and in Hong Kong. The sharp volatility in the indices has frightened investors away and put a damper on primary issuance. But the bubble finally bursting is symptomatic that further changes are badly needed. These also need to be more than just skin deep. read
Surprise – surprise. The launch of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect scheme, which had been in the works for months, has recently been delayed. The Through Train has been derailed. read
Amid renewed IPO activity in Hong Kong, carrier Hong Kong Airlines is believed to be working on a yuan-denominated new listing of up to US$500 million equivalent. If confirmed, this would make it only the third issuer there to list shares in Chinese currency. read
After a 14-month freeze, corporate issuers on the mainland are now back in the saddle for the year of the horse. read
Like an endangered species clinging on to the last remnants of its natural habitat, the Hong Kong initial public offering was scantly seen in 2012. The euro-zone sovereign debt crisis rumbled through the markets for most of the year, putting paid to many issuers’ plans.
China Everbright Bank, the country’s 13th largest bank as ranked by assets, is set to raise up to US$2.5 billion in what could be the largest initial public offering in Asia, so far in 2012. 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
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) published on 20 December a set of market statistics for 2011 (up to 15 December) on its website. read
HONG KONG (Dow Jones Investment Banker) – Shanghai-based Haitong Securities Co., Ltd. started bookbuilding Thursday for its Hong Kong IPO and listing, which could raise up to US$1.7 billion in a primary offering, excluding a 15% over-allotment option. The broker will no doubt aim to replicate October’s successful flotation of rival CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., whose stock is currently trading 4.7% above its initial offer price. But with weaker institutional support, Haitong’s IPO could face an uphill struggle in these choppy waters: The company has a smaller platform, lower market share in securities underwriting and a higher cost base than CITIC. read
