PSE offers Calata voluntary delisting instead of selling out

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PSE offers Calata voluntary delisting instead of selling out
The Philippine Stock Exchange says Calata Corporation can voluntarily delist on the condition that it will conduct a tender offer to small shareholders

MANILA, Philippines – The chief of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) thinks the proposal of Calata Corporation to sell out to Millennium Global Holdings Incorporated to save itself from being delisted “is not workable.”

The local bourse has instead proposed that Calata conduct voluntary delisting, with a condition.

Back in August, Calata had said it plans to spin off its assets and sell an 81% stake to Millennium Global – a move that might save the agriculture firm from being delisted from the local bourse.

This comes amid the PSE initiating an involuntary delisting procedure against the company because of multiple disclosure violations.

But on the sidelines of a forum conducted by the Shareholders Association of the Philippines, PSE president Ramon Monzon said Calata’s proposal involves many uncertain things. These include getting approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the proposed increase in authorized capital stock to facilitate the entry of Millennium Global.

At the same time, Monzon said Calata would need to secure shareholders’ approval for the planned spinoff of its assets and the proposed sale of an 81% stake to Millennium Global. (READ: To save the firm, Calata to sell out to Millennium Global)

“To be able to do that, Calata would need [a] 67% vote; and right now, these small shareholders of Calata own [a] 72% stake in the company,” the PSE chief said.

Millennium Global said it plans to use Calata to acquire the business of its subsidiary Millennium Ocean Star Corporation, which is a leading exporter and importer of seafood and aquaculture products in the local and international market.

“Would the small shareholders agree to that move wherein their 72% stake will only be equivalent to 8% stake in Millennium Global? It is not practical. We told them this is not workable,” Monzon told reporters.

Voluntary delisting

The PSE’s proposal that Calata conduct voluntary delisting includes a condition that it must conduct a tender offer to small shareholders.

“The message we gave them is if you (Calata) really are concerned for small shareholders, PSE is going to bend its rules and make it a voluntary delisting offer so they could conduct a tender offer. If they make a tender offer then PSE will allow them to conduct voluntary delisting,” Monzon said.

Companies that are involuntarily delisted from the PSE face stiffer penalties as they are not allowed to relist within 5 years of being delisted.

At the same time, the officers or directors of involuntarily delisted firms are disqualified from becoming officers or directors of any company applying for listing with the PSE.

Companies that voluntarily delist from the PSE may apply for relisting anytime. – Rappler.com

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