Going Public Options for Foreign Companies
Foreign companies seeking access to the U.S. public markets have several options in going public transactions. Often, foreign companies seeking to raise capital from investors obtain public company status in the U.S. to attract investors.
Foreign companies that go public in the U.S. may complete a public offering by registering securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
Under SEC rules, foreign companies that qualify as “foreign private issuers” have the option but not the obligation to use rules available to foreign companies going public in the U.S.
Foreign Private Issuer Qualification
In order for a foreign company to qualify as a foreign private issuer under SEC rules, it must satisfy the definition contained in Securities Exchange Act Rule 3b-4(c) of the Exchange Act.
Rule 3b-4(c) provides the following do not qualify as foreign private issuers:
♦ an issuer with more than 50% of its outstanding voting securities held by U.S. residents;
♦ an issuer with a majority of its executive officers or directors that are U.S. citizens or residents;
♦ an issuer with more than 50% of the issuer’s assets are located in the U.S.; or
♦ an issuer whose business is administered principally in the U.S.
Favorable Financial Statement Requirements for Foreign Companies
These rules allow foreign companies to provide financial statements prepared in accordance with their home country instead of GAAP so long as the financials comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).
Choice of Domicile for Foreign Companies in Going Public Transactions
When going public in the U.S., foreign companies can select the domicile of their company. A Foreign company can select its home country, another country or a particular state in the U.S. In some instances, it may be benficial for a foreign company to establish a U.S. company as a subsidiary and register the subsidiary’s securities. Alternatively, a foreign company may elect to establish a U.S. corporation and make the foreign company a wholly-owned subsidiary of the US corporation.
Raising Capital Options for Foreign Companies in Going Public Transactions
Like domestic issuers, foreign companies have access to several means of raising capital during the going public process. Foreign companies qualify to use the exemptions from registration provided by Rule 504, Rule 505 and Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act as well as Regulation S, for their securities offerings.
SEC Registration Options for Foreign Issuers
Foreign issuers who go public in the U.S using an underwriter can register an initial public offering (“IPO) on Form F-1. Foreign companies are also eligible to conduct direct public offerings (“Direct Public Offering”) which allows the company to raise capital by selling securities directly to investors without the use of an underwriter. Like an IPO, foreign companies conducting Direct Public Offerings are eligible to register a securities offering on Form F-1. Using F-1 allows the foreign company to take advantage of the SEC rules for foreign companies providing for the use of financial statements that comply with IFRS.
For foreign companies, registering a securities offering with the SEC on a registration statement such as Form F-1 eliminates many of the risks and expenses associated with reverse merger transactions and public shell companies as well as the stigma that has plagued going public transactions involving foreign issuers in recent years.
Dual Listings for Foreign Companies
For foreign companies that are public in another country, dual listing in the U.S. provides many benefits. These benefits include piggy back listings on other exchanges such as the Berlin Stock Exchange.
American Depository Receipts
ADR’s can trade on the OTCMarkets, NASDAQ or other exchanges. If a company trades as an over-the-counter ADR American Depository Receipt, it will not be required to provide audited financials. With ADR offerings, the foreign company deposits its shares with a U.S. depositary bank. The bank holds these American Depositary Shares, or ADS’s, and issues receipts-ADR’s. The deposit agreement between a foreign company and a U.S. depositary bank creates a sponsored ADR program. This deposit agreement is filed with the SEC using Form F-6, which was designed for foreign issuers.
Benefits of U.S. Listings for Foreign Companies
There are many benefits for foreign companies going public in the U.S.
♦ access to the U.S. capital markets, which remain the largest and most liquid in the world;
♦ increased visibility and prestige associated with the U.S. markets; and
♦ ability to attract and retain key employees by offering them the company’s securities through equity-based compensation structures.
For foreign companies that qualify as foreign private issuers additional benefits include, but are not limited to, the ability to file annual reports on Form 20-F (or Form 40-F for Canadian companies) instead of Form 10-K, and the option to prepare financial statements in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) or the company’s home country’s GAAP.
For further information about this securities law blog post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956, by email at [email protected] or visit www.securitieslawyer101.com. This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal and compliance advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship. For more information about going public and the rules and regulations affecting the use of Rule 144, Form 8K, crowdfunding, FINRA Rule 6490, Rule 506 private placement offerings and memorandums, Regulation A, Rule 504 offerings, SEC reporting requirements, SEC registration statements on Form S-1 , IPO’s, OTC Pink Sheet listings, Form 10 OTCBB and OTC Markets disclosure requirements, DTC Chills, Global Locks, reverse mergers, public shells, direct public offerings and direct public offerings please contact Hamilton and Associates at (561) 416-8956 or [email protected]. Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855
www.SecuritiesLawyer101.com
