HKEX to Raise Main Board Profit Requirement from 1 January 2022

On 20 May 2021, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEX) published its Consultation Conclusions on the Main Board Profit Requirement.1 Following broad opposition to the Consultation Paper’s2 proposal to increase the profit requirement for companies listing on the Main Board by either 150% or 200%, the HKEX will instead raise the aggregate profit requirement over the three-financial year track record period by 60% to HK$80 million from 1 January 2022. The aggregate profit requirement for the first two financial years will be raised to HK$45 million (from HK$30 million) and the profit requirement for the final financial year will be increased to HK$35 million (from HK$20 million). The HKEX will also grant relief from the profit spread within the track record period based on case-specific circumstances rather than the satisfaction of specified conditions as originally proposed.

In response to market comments regarding the viability of GEM as an alternative listing venue, the HKEX proposes to conduct a review of GEM.

For a summary of the original Consultation Paper’s proposals, please see Charltons’ November 2020 newsletter.3

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