BofA: Investors pour into bonds, pull back from crypto
Investing.com-- China’s securities regulator has intensified scrutiny over small domestic companies seeking to list on U.S. stock exchanges, aiming to curb price manipulation that has led to significant losses for American investors, the Financial Times reported on Thursday citing sources familiar with the matter.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has notably slowed approvals for U.S. initial public offerings (IPOs) by Chinese firms, reducing the number from 22 in the first half of 2024 to 11 since June, according to the FT report.
Insiders indicated that the CSRC plans to impose stricter controls this year on U.S. IPOs of Chinese companies with small capitalizations and weak fundamentals, as these entities are particularly vulnerable to market manipulation, the report stated.
Concerns have been raised regarding the necessity of offshore listings for these firms, with questions about their genuine need for foreign capital, the report said.
The CSRC is now spending twice as long reviewing U.S. listing applications, particularly those seeking to raise $10 million or less, according to the Financial Times report.
Meanwhile, Chinese authorities are encouraging larger companies to pursue secondary listings in Hong Kong, potentially revitalizing the city’s capital markets, the report said.
The regulatory crackdown reflects Beijing’s broader strategy to reduce financial dependence on U.S. markets and limit risks associated with speculative trading, FT’s report added.