14.06B
A reverse takeover is an acquisition or a series of acquisitions of assets by a listed issuer which, in the opinion of the Exchange, constitutes, or is part of a transaction and/or arrangement or series of transactions and/or arrangements which constitute, an attempt to achieve a listing of the acquisition targets (as defined in rule 14.04(2A)) and a means to circumvent the requirements for new applicants set out in Chapter 8 of the Listing Rules.
Notes:
1. Rule 14.06B is aimed at preventing acquisitions that represent an attempt to circumvent the new listing requirements. In applying this principle based test, the Exchange will normally take into account the following factors:
In assessing whether there has been a change in control or de facto control of the issuer, the Exchange will consider (i) any change in the controlling shareholder of the issuer; or (ii) any change in the single largest substantial shareholder who is able to exercise effective control over the issuer, as indicated by factors such as a substantial change to its board of directors and/or senior management.
In circumstances involving an issue of convertible securities with a conversion restriction mechanism to avoid triggering a change in control under the Takeovers Code (i.e. restricted convertible securities) to a vendor as the consideration for an acquisition, the Exchange will consider whether the issuance is a means to allow the vendor to effectively control the issuer;
These transactions or arrangements may include changes in control/de facto control, acquisitions and/or disposals. The Exchange may regard acquisitions and other transactions or arrangements as a series if they take place in a reasonable proximity to each other (which normally refers to a period of 36 months or less) or are otherwise related.
2. Without limiting the generality of rule 14.06B, the following transactions are normally reverse takeovers (the bright line tests):
(a) an acquisition or a series of acquisitions (aggregated under rules 14.22 and 14.23) of assets constituting a very substantial acquisition where there is or which will result in a change in control (as defined in the Takeovers Code) of the listed issuer (other than at the level of its subsidiaries); or
(b) acquisition(s) of assets from a person or a group of persons or any of his/their associates pursuant to an agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into by the listed issuer within 36 months of such person or group of persons gaining control (as defined in the Takeovers Code) of the listed issuer (other than at the level of its subsidiaries), where such gaining of control had not been regarded as a reverse takeover, which individually or together constitute(s) a very substantial acquisition. For the purpose of determining whether the acquisition(s) constitute(s) a very substantial acquisition, the lower of: