Clawback

Our columnist delves into Hong Kong’s reliance on financial sector IPOs.

With result season now in full swing after the Lunar New Year holidays, now is perhaps an opportune time to reflect on the fact that Hong Kong remains one of the few major markets around the world (and in Asia in particular) not to require companies listed on its Main Board to publish quarterly accounts. With talk of a third board to attract smaller companies with lower listing requirements, and recurring issues with disclosure (or lack thereof) by smaller listed businesses, a change in the rules is probably long overdue, writes Philippe Espinasse.

After almost five years, Hong Kong has recognised Russia as an accepted jurisdiction for issuers looking to list in the city. But whether the ties would be a game-changer for Asian equity capital markets is a big question, writes Philippe Espinasse.

While all eyes are on China and turmoil in the mainland equity markets, our columnist turns his gaze to Indonesia where once again the government is attempting to privatise state-owned companies.

Around this time last year, I reviewed the dismal performance of the Hong Kong primary markets, and ventured a guess that investors could instead turn en masse to ECM transactions in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia - and even the Philippines. How wrong I was!

Hong Kong IPO issuance has seen healthy volumes so far this year. At $68.3bn, according to Dealogic, new listings on HKEx have already reached the level achieved for the entire year in 2014. The outcome of deals, however, remains heavily dependent on cornerstone investors, while oversized syndicates have sadly been back in full force since at least late spring, writes Philippe Espinasse.

A paper published by the University of Hong Kong argues that the city’s IPO sponsors may not in fact be subject to civil and criminal liabilities on prospectuses. This is a departure from the position taken by the Securities and Futures Commission last year, writes Philippe Espinasse.

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, argues Philippe Espinasse.

China International Capital Corporate (CICC) has filed for its IPO in Hong Kong. It is a venerable name, but as Philippe Espinasse writes, its best days may be behind it.

At long last, the operator of Hong Kong's stock exchange has published conclusions to its concept paper on weighted voting rights (WVRs). Almost as soon as it did, Hong Kong's other regulator expressed its opposition to the idea. But WVRs were always a worrying development. More urgent reforms are needed for the exchange to compare favourably with New York or London, writes Philippe Espinasse.

What has happened to Malaysia’s primary equity markets? Once the darling of ECM departments, featuring highly successful multi-billion dollar offerings by the likes of Petronas Chemicals, Felda Global Ventures or IHH Healthcare, the Southeast Asia nation now languishes at the bottom of the regional league tables, writes Philippe Espinasse.

As negotiators were busy hammering a provisional deal with Iran’s diplomats over its nuclear facilities, in a bold move, Clawback travelled to the Islamic republic — and returned impressed. The country could well be on the cusp of major changes, but also presents interesting similarities (and differences) with China, writes Philippe Espinasse.