YICAI | Shanghai-Listed Firms Declare USD2.8 Billion of Share Buybacks, Major Shareholder Stake Hikes

More than 130 companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange have announced share buyback plans or schemes where their main stakeholders increase their holdings worth CNY20 billion (USD2.8 billion) so far this year after regulators said they would start looking more closely at listed firms' market value.

Ninety-five companies have declared share repurchase schemes amounting to CNY14.2 billion (USD1.9 billion) and 39 have said that their major shareholders will raise their holdings by up to CNY6.7 billion, according to the latest data.

There are now around 481 firms listed in Shanghai that are proceeding with share increases by major stakeholders or share buy backs that will inject nearly CNY60 billion (USD8.3 billion) into the market.

Many central government-owned and state-owned enterprises have also stated their intent to improve their market capitalization through stake increases or share repurchases after the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission recently said it will start assessing listed firms’ market capitalization.

Tongwei Group is confident about unit Tongwei’s prospects and long-term investment value and will spend between CNY1 billion (USD140 million) and CNY2 billion raising its stake over the next 12 months, the silicon giant said yesterday.

Heavy equipment manufacturer Sany Heavy Industry’s Chairman Xiang Wenbo said the same day that he will buy back around CNY600 million (USD84.5 million) to CNY1 billion of shares while chipmaker Sanan Optoelectronics’ owner will repurchase between CNY500 million and CNY1 billion.

Haitong Securities plans to repurchase between CNY300 million and CNY600 million worth of shares, the broker said on Jan. 30. Metal packaging manufacturer Shanghai Baosteel Packaging is buying back between CNY50 million to CNY100 million worth, while pharma firm Zhejiang CONBA Pharmaceutical’s controlling shareholder Zhejiang Traditional Chinese Medicine & Health Industry Group is increasing its stake by between 2 percent and 4 percent, according to recent announcements.

There is still room for listed firms to buy back more shares, said Li Qiusuo, chief analyst of domestic strategies and managing director at investment firm China International Capital Corp. There needs to be stronger regulation on information disclosure of listed firms, he added.

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