Markets

Overseas companies may list in Shanghai in '11

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-07-08 14:53

China may allow foreign companies to sell stock in Shanghai next year, opening the world's largest market for first-time share sales and advancing the city's bid to become an international financial center.

"The preparation work is proceeding quite nicely," said Fang Xinghai, director general of Shanghai's financial services office, in a Bloomberg TV interview. Asked when overseas companies will be allowed to list on the city's stock exchange, Fang said, "sometime next year, I hope."

Related readings:  A-share listing process to be accelerated for foreign firms  China to allow domestic listings of foreign firms next year  Plan for foreign firms' listings gathers steam  Beijing to encourage foreign firms to list in China

HSBC Holdings Plc and London Stock Exchange Group Plc are among companies that have expressed interest in a Shanghai listing when China opens the world's largest market for stock sales to foreign firms. Companies may raise about 500 billion yuan ($74 billion) in initial public offerings in Shanghai and Shenzhen this year, more than in any other country, PricewaterhouseCoopers said July 5.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Shanghai stock exchange "are taking the lead" in preparing rules governing stock offerings by overseas companies in the city, Fang said.

In April, the China Daily said Shanghai may start the board this year, citing Xu Quan, deputy director of the city's financial service office.

Shanghai has been contacted by foreign companies from the finance, telecommunications, consumer goods and manufacturing industries about selling shares in the city, Fang said in May. The city is introducing investment products to tap the nation's corporate and household savings.

Shanghai discount

Two overseas companies and one red-chip firm -- a company controlled by Chinese owners and listed abroad -- may debut on Shanghai's international board as early as in this year's second half, Frank Lyn, PwC's China markets leader, said July 5, without identifying the firms.

A stock market slump that left Shanghai shares trading at a discount to equities in Hong Kong has made offerings in China less appealing to foreign companies, said Jonathan Masse, a fund manager at Walnut Creek, California-based AlphaShares Inc.

Yuan-denominated A shares, which are restricted almost exclusively to local investors, fell below Chinese stocks traded in Hong Kong last month for the first time in almost four years, according to the Hang Seng China AH Premium Index.

HSBC, Wal-Mart

CSRC Vice Chairman Yao Gang said at a forum in Shanghai in June that legal and jurisdictional issues need to be resolved before the international board can be started.

London-based HSBC, Europe's largest bank by market value, is waiting for rules governing Shanghai listings by foreign companies to be completed, Chief Executive Officer Michael Geoghegan said last month in Shanghai. The lender aims to raise a "significant amount" on the city's stock market, he said.

London Stock Exchange aims to list in Shanghai by the end of 2011, CEO Xavier Rolet said in June. Coca-Cola Co, General Electric Co and Wal-Mart Stores Inc are among US companies that may seek listings in Shanghai, UBS AG strategist John Tang wrote in a July 2009 report.