Focus Media to relist via backdoor
Print Edition
FOCUS Media Holding Ltd, one of several Chinese firms that delisted in the United States after short-seller attacks, is set to go public again via a reverse takeover in Shenzhen that values it at above US$7 billion, filings showed.
The planned backdoor listing represents a doubling in value for the display advertising company since it was taken private in 2013 for US$3.7 billion by a Carlyle Group-led consortium in China’s biggest-ever leveraged buyout.
It also sets a precedent for Chinese firms listed abroad but which are keen to come back home, attracted by a long and sharp rally for mainland stock markets that has seen them more than double in value over the past year.
Filings by the acquirer, Jiangsu Hongda New Material Co, showed its board had approved a major asset restructuring that involves buying Focus Media through a mix of cash, new shares and an asset swap for 45.7 billion yuan (US$7.4 billion).
Reverse takeovers generally undergo less scrutiny than initial public offerings but the plan will require approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission and other regulators.
Trading in shares of Jiangsu Hongda, which makes silicone rubber used in baby bottles and swim caps, has been halted since December, when it unveiled plans for a restructuring that did not mention Focus Media.
Focus Media, which had been listed on Nasdaq, was one of the highest profile Chinese firms targeted by short-seller Muddy Waters which accused it of overstating the number of screens in its LCD advertising network by about 50 percent. Focus Media has denied the allegations.
It operates flat-panel display screens in commercial buildings and also has screens in elevators, supermarkets and convenience stores.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
