Until recently, the UK and EU post-Brexit market abuse regimes remained substantially aligned. However, the passing of the EU Listing Act reforms in 2024 has meant that UK and EU MAR have started to diverge meaningfully for...more
This eUpdate focuses on the eligibility requirements, process and continuing obligations for a company with a primary listing in a jurisdiction outside the UK which is seeking a secondary listing on the Main Market of the...more
Welcome to the latest edition of M&A Insights, where we bring together partners from across the A&O Shearman network to explore the themes shaping global dealmaking. The election of Donald Trump as President is expected to...more
In our biannual M&A trends report we explore the possible impact of the new U.S. administration on dealmaking, the dynamics of transatlantic M&A, private equity exits, and Mario Draghi’s proposals to reshape the European...more
On 13 August 2024, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), as part of a cross-regulatory group comprising the FCA, Companies House, HMRC and Charity Commission for England and Wales, published a discussion paper on the future...more
On 5 March 2024, the Pre-Emption Group (PEG) published its first report monitoring the use of its updated Statement of Principles on the disapplication of pre-emption rights for UK listed companies. The Principles were...more
FTSE Russell has published an overview of the provisional changes it expects to make to its FTSE UK Index Series rules following reforms to the UK listing regime by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") later this year. ...more
While the British media is currently focussed on a small number of large-cap companies, formerly listed in London, choosing to move their listings to New York, there is another story which is not so well publicised. Many...more
On 20 December 2023, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) published a further consultation paper (CP23/31) (the “December Consultation Paper”) for reforming the UK listing regime....more
On 16 October 2023, Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive of the FCA, delivered a speech at the City Dinner at Mansion House which describes the FCA’s work in supporting international competitiveness and growth. Amongst other things,...more
Companies Invited to Voluntarily Adopt New Nature-related Financial Disclosure Framework - On 18 September 2023, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published its final recommendations for...more
A key factor in recent discussions on revitalising London’s place as a capital markets and financial services hub has been a renewed attention on executive compensation. Recent comments made by Julia Hoggett, the CEO of the...more
This edition covers proposed major reforms to the listing and prospectus regimes, corporate governance reforms largely relating to audit and internal controls, and proposed changes to the Takeover Code affecting the...more
On 3 May 2023, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) published significant further proposals in a consultation paper (CP23/10) for reforming the UK listing regime....more
The FCA has published a consultation paper (CP23/10) containing its updated blueprint for a significantly reformed UK listing regime for share issuers. The transformational proposals are designed to make the UK listing...more
Proposals dramatically reduce the regulatory burden on listed companies. On 3 May 2023, the FCA published a consultation paper CP23/10 which sets out a blueprint for changes to the UK listing regime. The key reform...more
On 29 March 2023, the chief executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Nikhil Rathi, delivered a speech at the Global Investment Management Summit in London on the wider UK capital markets ecosystem, which...more
This edition covers upcoming reforms to the UK listing regime, the FCA’s Primary Market Bulletin 44, the launch of a review into the UK investment research landscape, the PLSA’s 2023 Stewardship and Voting Guidelines, and...more
The updated Statement of Principles will have an immediate impact on UK listed companies, providing increased flexibility to undertake larger non-pre-emptive capital raisings. On 4 November 2022, the Pre-Emption Group...more
The consultation response heralds innovation-friendly reform to the UK wholesale capital markets regime. On 1 March 2022, HM Treasury published its response to the July 2021 consultation on the Wholesale Markets Review...more
As recommended by Lord Hill, the Government has set out its policy approach to reform the UK prospectus regime. This includes separating the regulation of public offers of securities from the admission of securities to...more
Broad reform to listing regimes, growing ESG scrutiny, and increasing retail participation in fundraisings are among the areas to watch. Last year was memorable for UK equity capital markets (ECM). The IPO market was at...more
Following on from the FCA’s consultation on the effectiveness of the Primary Market, the FCA has published final rules on, amongst other things, free float and minimum market capitalisation, which come into force on 3...more
Lord Hill’s review of the Listing Regime along with the Kalifa Review of UK FinTech highlighted specific elements of the listing regime that act as barriers to companies listing. According to the Lord Hill’s review, the...more
The recommended reforms aim to make the UK’s listing regime more competitive while maintaining high standards of corporate governance, shareholder rights, and transparency. A new independent review (the Review), led by Lord...more