Hong Kong watchdog orders suspension of third stock in a month

Hong Kong's securities watchdog has ordered the stock exchange to halt trading for three companies in the past month, indicating a more stringent stance on the quality of listed firms. Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial, a bubble-tea producer, was suspended at 9am on Tuesday, marking the third suspension under Rule 8(1) since September 10.

This rule permits the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to halt trading when a company provides materially false or misleading information or when such action is needed to maintain orderly and fair trading. The SFC previously suspended biotech firm Cloudbreak on September 10 over potential IPO manipulation and Silver Grant International on September 25 due to the flow of loan proceeds.

Kenny How, a council member of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Professionals Association, anticipated ongoing vigilance and potential further interventions, particularly around IPO allocation, trading patterns, disclosure, and attempts to create a false impression of demand. The SFC aims to streamline resumption procedures and introduce targeted post-listing requirements to combat misconduct, with these changes set to take effect in the first quarter of next year.

Chabaidao, based in Chengdu, is China's third-largest fresh tea drinks producer, raising HK$2.46 billion in its April 2024 IPO, but its shares plummeted 27% on their debut and have lost about 77% since the offer price of HK$17.50.