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To list your shares on a stock exchange, you'll need to meet certain requirements and follow specific rules. The exchange you're interested in listing on will have its own set of rules and regulations.
In the US, for example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has a set of rules that companies must follow to list their shares on a stock exchange. The SEC requires companies to disclose certain information about their business, finances, and ownership structure.
To be eligible for listing, a company must have a minimum market capitalization of $50 million, according to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing requirements.
What is Share Listing?
A listed company is a public company that has issued shares of its stock through an exchange.
These shares can then be bought and sold by investors, with their value rising or falling according to demand.
To become a listed company, a company must apply to an exchange and meet its requirements, which typically include minimum levels of cash flow and company assets.
Each exchange sets its own standards of corporate governance, which the company must adhere to.
As a public company, a listed company is subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, requiring it to publish quarterly and annual financial reports.
In order to stay listed, a company must continue to meet the qualifications set by the exchange.
Requirements
To be listed on a stock exchange, a company must meet certain requirements. Each stock exchange has its own set of rules, but most require a company to have a history of financial statements, a sufficient free float, and an approved prospectus.
A company can qualify for listing on the Nasdaq if it meets the requirements outlined in its 19-page "Initial Listing Guide." To be specific, it must have at least 1,000,000 publicly traded shares, a regular bid price of at least $4, and three market makers for the stock.
The Nasdaq also requires companies to meet one of several financial standards, including the earnings standard, capitalization with cash flow, capitalization with revenue, or assets with equity. The earnings standard, for example, requires a company to have aggregate pre-tax earnings of at least $10 million in the prior three years.
To be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), a company must meet any one of several financial standards, including a set minimum for pre-tax income, global market capitalization, shareholders' equity, or market value of outstanding shares.
Here are the specific requirements for listing on the Nasdaq and NYSE, broken down by standard:
Benefits and Advantages
Listing a company on an exchange offers several benefits. Companies can raise a great deal of money fast by selling stock on the open market.
One of the main advantages is that companies can borrow money and pay interest on it. This is an option, but it comes with the added cost of interest payments.
Companies can also seek private investors with deep pockets, who will expect a measure of control in return for their investment. This can be a viable option, but it's not always the best choice.
Going public and raising money through the sale of shares in the company is another option. This allows companies to raise a significant amount of money quickly.
Individual investors who own a single share of common stock have the right to attend a company's annual meeting and vote on the issues raised there. This gives them a say in the company's direction.
Listing on Specific Exchanges
To list on the Nasdaq, a company must meet the requirements outlined in its 19-page Initial Listing Guide, including having a minimum of 1,000,000 publicly traded shares.
The Nasdaq also requires companies to meet one of its financial standards, such as the earnings standard, which demands a minimum of $10 million in aggregate pre-tax earnings over the prior three years.
Companies can also qualify for listing on the Nasdaq if they meet the capitalization with cash flow standard, which requires a minimum aggregate cash flow of $27.5 million over the past three fiscal years.
Alternatively, companies can meet the capitalization with revenue standard, which requires an average market capitalization of at least $850 million over the past 12 months and revenues of at least $90 million in the prior fiscal year.
The NYSE, on the other hand, requires applicants to meet any one of several financial standards, including a set minimum for pre-tax income, global market capitalization, shareholders' equity, or market value of outstanding shares.
To be listed on the NYSE, a company must meet one of the following standards:
Note that the NYSE also has distribution standards, with minimums set for share price and trading volume, among other factors, but these are not specified in the provided article section.
Listing and Delisting
Listing and delisting are two important concepts in the world of share listing. Delisting refers to the practice of removing a company's capital stock from a stock exchange, making it impossible for investors to trade shares on that exchange.
This can happen when a company goes out of business, declares bankruptcy, or no longer meets the listing rules of the stock exchange. Companies can also be delisted if they become private or are acquired by another company.
Some companies, like Burger King and Jo-Anne Stores, have been listed and unlisted due to leveraged buyouts by private equity firms. Others, like Cargill and Koch Industries, have never been listed.
To be listed on a stock exchange, a company must meet specific requirements. For example, the Nasdaq requires companies to have a minimum of 1,000,000 publicly traded shares, a regular bid price of at least $4, and three market makers for the stock.
The NYSE has similar requirements, including meeting one of several financial standards, such as pre-tax income or market capitalization. Companies must also meet distribution standards, including minimums for share price and trading volume.
Here are the requirements for listing on the Nasdaq and NYSE:
A company can be delisted due to failing to meet the standards of the stock exchange, often resulting in bankruptcy or worthless shares. On the other hand, a company can be delisted as part of a private equity buyout or takeover, which may be an opportunity for the company to revamp and go public again.
Catl Plans Hong Kong Stock Listing
CATL plans to list its shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange through a new stock listing. This move is aimed at driving growth and improving competitiveness.
The company plans to issue overseas listed H shares to achieve this goal. Shareholders will have to approve the issuance and listing on the exchange.
CATL needs approval from government and regulatory agencies, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission. This is a crucial step in the listing process.
CATL has a strong track record in the global EV battery market, with a 36.8% market share through the first ten months of 2024. This is a significant lead over its competitors.
BYD and LG Energy Solution trail behind CATL in the market share, with 16.8% and 11.8% respectively. CATL's dominance in the market is a testament to its success.
The company is also expanding its EV battery swap network to phase out gas stations over the next few years. This is a bold move that could have a significant impact on the industry.
Listed vs Unlisted Companies
Some of the biggest brands in America are produced by companies that are privately owned rather than publicly listed.
Burger King and the Jo-Anne Stores chain have bounced back and forth between listed and privately-owned status.
The largest privately-owned companies in America include Cargill, Koch Industries, and the Publix supermarket chain.
Companies like Cargill and Koch Industries have never been listed, but still manage to thrive in the market.
A leveraged buyout by a private equity firm is often the reason companies switch between listed and privately-owned status.
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