8. Securities Exchange listing regime Flashcards
Which organisation is a “competent authority” and what are its powers?
FCA is the competent authority. It exercises its power under 3 EU directives (Prospectus Directive, Transparency Directive and Disclosure and Transparency Rules), MAR and FSMA 2000 (LR, Prospectus rules and DTR).
FCA establishes listing rules for admission of securities to listing, the continuing obligation of issuers of the securities and the enforcement of the continuing obligations.
What are the Listing criteria applicable to standard and premium listings?
Transferability - shares must be fully paid and freely transferrable (both premium and standard)
Market capitalisation on listing - minimum capitalisation of $700,000 - (both premium and standard)
Prospectus or listing particulars required - these must be approved by FCA and FSMA (both premium and standard)
Financial information to be provided in prospectus - Premium listing - Must have published or filed accounts that cover at least the last 3 years, ending no more than 6 months before the date of prospectus, having been independently audited and reported by auditors (unmodified). Standard listing - audited info that cover the last 2 fin years and audit report for each year.
Trading record requirement - At least 75% of the business must be supported by historic revenue earning record, covering the period for which the audited accounts are required. SL - No trading record requirement
Control of assets requirement - Premium listing - The issuer must control the majority of its assets (at least for the period for which audited accounts are required. Standard listing - No control of assets requirement
Independent business requirement - PL - The issuer must carry on an independent business. SL - A listed co must carry on an independent business at all times.
Controlling shareholder - The issuer must demonstrate that it can carry on an independent business as its main activity.
What is transferability in listing criteria requirement?
Shares must be fully paid and freely transferrable (both premium and standard)
What is the requirement for market capitalisation on listing?
Minimum capitalisation is $700,000 (both premium and standard)
What is Prospectus and listing particulars requirement?
The Prospectus or listing particulars must be approved by FCA and FSMA
What financial information is be provided in prospectus/listing document?
Premium listing - Must have published or filed accounts that cover at least the last 3 years, ending no more than 6 months before the date of prospectus, having been independently audited and reported by auditors (unmodified).
Standard listing - audited info that cover the last 2 fin years and audit report for each year.
What is Trading record requirement?
Premium listing - At least 75% of the business must be supported by historic revenue earning record, covering the period for which the audited accounts are required.
Standard listing - no trading record requirement
What is Control of assets requirement?
Premium listing - The issuer must control the majority of its assets and have done so for at least for the period of for which audited accounts are required.
Standard listing - No control of assets requirement
What is Independent business requirement?
Premium listing - The issuer must carry on an independent business as its main activity
Standard listing - A listed co must carry on an independent business at all times
What is Controlling shareholder criteria?
The issuer with a controlling shareholder must demonstrate that it can carry on an independent business as its main activity and must have a controlling shareholder agreement in place
What is Control of business criteria?
The issuer must demonstrate that it exercises operational control over the business it carries out as its main activity
What is Working capital statement criteria?
Clean working capital statement requirement
Which is Constitution criteria to provide for pre-emption rights?
Premium listing - Shareholders must have pre-emption rights
Standard listing - No pre-emp right requirement
What is Restriction on amount of warrants or options criteria?
Warrants or options to subscribe for equity shares must not exceed 20% of the issued equity share cap at the time of issue of the warrants or options, excluding employee share schemes
What is Free float requirement criteria?
25% minimum free float for each class of shares
What is Adviser requirement?
Premium listing - advisor required
Standard listing - no advisor requirement
Listing process - which documents need to be submitted to the issuer management team at the FCA?
Application for Admission of Securities to the Official List;
One of:
- prospectus or listing particulars approved by the FCA;
- prospectus approved by another EAA state;
- a circular published in connection with the
application;
- supplemental prospectus or supplemental listing
particulars.
Written confirmation of the number of shares to be allotted;
If a prospectus or listing particular are not required, a copy of announcement detailing the number of shares to be issued and circumstances of their issue.