Laura Anthony Esq

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Search Results for: market wrap

Market Wrap-Up – First Quarter 2026

This edition of my market recap covers the first quarter of 2026.  For a review of November and December 2024 see HERE; for October 2024 see HERE; for Q1 2025 see HERE; Q2 2025 see HERE; for Q3 2025 see HERE; and for Q4 2025 see HERE.

Five small cap ($30,000,000 and under) IPOs priced in the fourth quarter of 2025 (2 in January, 2 in February and 1 in March) – a significant downtick from the 23 deals that priced in Q4 2025 which itself was a downtick from Q3 2025.  In fact, this is the lowest number of small cap deals I can remember for a full quarter.   On the other hand, direct listings continue to grow with 7 commencing trading in Q4 2025.  Below is a chart of relevant deal information for the first quarter IPOs.

I also note that there were no foreign IPO’s onto Nasdaq in Q1 which

Market Wrap-Up – Fourth Quarter 2025

This edition of my market recap covers the fourth quarter of 2025.  For a review of November and December 2024 see HERE; for October 2024 see HERE; for Q1 2025 see HERE; Q2 2025 see HERE; and for Q3 2025 see HERE.

Twenty-Three small cap ($30,000,000 and under) IPOs priced in the third quarter of 2025 (14 in October, 4 in November and 5 in December) – an significant downtick from the 40 deals that priced in Q3 2025.  On the other hand, direct listings are definitely seeing an uptick with 6 commencing trading in Q3 2025.  Below is a chart of relevant deal information for the third quarter IPOs.

Exchange Offer Amount Domestic/Foreign Issuer Banker(s)
Nasdaq Capital $5,000,000 Foreign US Tiger Securities, Inc.
Nasdaq Capital $5,000,000 Foreign Cathay Securities, Inc.
Nasdaq Global $20,000,016 Foreign Joseph Stone Capital, LLC
Nasdaq Capital $10,000,000 Foreign Cathay Securities, Inc.
Nasdaq Capital $5,000,000 Foreign Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC
Read More »

Market Wrap-Up – Q3 2025

This edition of my market recap covers the third quarter of 2025.  For a review of November and December 2024 see HERE; for October 2024 see HERE; for Q1 2025 see HERE; and for Q2 2025 see HERE.

Forty small cap ($30,000,000 and under) IPOs priced in the second quarter of 2025 (17 in July, 16 in August and 7 in September) – an uptick from Q2 2025.  Below is a chart of relevant deal information for the third quarter IPOs.

Exchange Offer Amount Domestic/Foreign Issuer Banker(s)
Nasdaq Capital $9,375.000 Foreign Cathay Securities, Inc.
Nasdaq Capital $27,500,000 Domestic The Benchmark Company; Roth Capital Partners
Nasdaq Capital $5,500,000 Foreign R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc.
Nasdaq Capital $6,500,000 Foreign Joseph Stone Capital, LLC
Nasdaq Capital $8,960,000 Foreign Bancroft Capital, LLC
Nasdaq Capital $6,000,000 Foreign D. Boral Capital; Benjamin Securities, Inc.
Nasdaq Capital $5,000,000 Foreign Eddid Securities USA, Inc.
Nasdaq Capital $8,000,000 Foreign Bancroft Capital, LLC
Nasdaq
Read More »

Market Wrap-Up Q2 2025

This edition of my market recap covers the second quarter of 2025.  For a review of November and December 2024 see HERE; for October 2024 see HERE; and for Q1 2025 see HERE.

Thirty-three small cap ($30,000,000 and under) IPOs priced in the second quarter of 2025 (20 in April, 5 in May and 8 in June) – a downtrend from Q1 2025.  Below is a chart of relevant deal information for the second quarter IPOs.

Exchange Offer Amount Domestic/Foreign Issuer Banker(s)
Nasdaq Global $30,000,000 Foreign Goldman Sachs (Asia) LLC, Citigroup, US Tiger Securities, CICC, Kingswood
Nasdaq Capital $6,400,000 Foreign D. Boral Capital
Nasdaq Capital $5,000,000 Foreign R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc.
Nasdaq Capital $7,200,000 Foreign Craft Capital Management
NYSE MKT $10,075,000 Foreign Maxim Group, LLC
Nasdaq Capital $6,000,000 Foreign Dominari Securities, LLC; Revere Securities LLC
Nasdaq Capital $7,000,000 Foreign Craft Capital Management, LLC; Westpark Capital
Nasdaq Capital $7,740,000 Domestic The Benchmark Company; Axiom Capital Management,
Read More »

Market Wrap-Up – First Quarter 2025

This edition of my market recap covers the first quarter of 2025.  For a review of November and December 2024 see HERE and for October 2024 see HERE.

Forty-two small cap ($30,000,000 and under) IPOs priced in the first quarter of 2025 (13 in January, 15 in February and 14 in March) – a large uptick from 2024.  Below is a chart of relevant deal information for the first quarter IPOs.

Exchange Offer Amount Domestic/Foreign Issuer Banker(s)
Nasdaq Capital $8,000,000 Foreign AC Sunshine Securities, LLC
Nasdaq Capital $6,000,000 Foreign Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC
Nasdaq Capital $5,000,000 Foreign Craft Capital Management, LLC and Boustead Securities, LLC
Nasdaq Capital $7,000,000 Foreign Benjamin Securities, Inc. and Prime Number Capital, LLC
Nasdaq Capital $8,400,000 Foreign R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc.
Nasdaq Capital $5,614,740 Foreign Bancroft Capital, LLC and Eddid Securities USA
Nasdaq Capital $7,000,000 Foreign Benjamin Securities, Inc. and Prime Number Capital, LLC
NYSE MKT $10,000,000 Domestic Alliance Global Partners
Nasdaq Capital
Read More »

Market Wrap Up – November and December 2024

As promised, I am going to provide regular market wrap-ups for the IPO market as we move forward with the next administration and chapter for our U.S. capital markets.  This edition covers November and December 2024.  For a review of the Market Wrap-Up for October 2024 see HERE.

Nine small cap ($30,000,000 and under) IPOs priced in November 2024 and 12 in December 2024 (compared to 19 in October; 12 in September; 8 in August; 8 in July; 3 in June; 5 in May; 12 in April; 6 in March; 6 in February; and 8 in January). Below is a chart of relevant deal information for the November and December IPOs. In October I only included deals up to $25,000,000 but raised the cap to $30,000,000.  Normally, I would include all deals under $50,000,000 in this category, but the deal sizes remain very low.  As deal sizes return to pre 2022 normal levels, I will continue to

Market Wrap-Up

For the first time since December 2022, the markets are seeing an uptick in completed small cap initial public offerings (IPOs).  My clients are always asking me about the deals that are getting done, which prompted this blog, the first in what will be regular periodic market roundups.

Nineteen small cap (under $25,000,000) IPOs priced in October compared to 12 in September; 8 in August; 8 in July; 3 in June; 5 in May; 12 in April; 6 in March; 6 in February; and 8 in January.  Below is a chart of relevant deal information for the 19 October IPOs.    Normally, I would include all deals under $50,000,000 in this category, but the deal sizes remain very low.  As deal sizes return to pre 2022 normal levels, I will adjust by market recaps upward accordingly.

Exchange Offer Amount Domestic/Foreign Issuer Banker(s)
Nasdaq Capital $4,199,995 Foreign Aegis Capital Corp.
Nasdaq Capital $5,200,000 Foreign The Benchmark Company
Nasdaq Capital $7,000,000
Read More »

OTC Markets has Modified its OTCQB Eligibility Criteria Effective May 1, 2014

 OTC Markets has unveiled changes to be quoted on the OTCQB, which changes become effective May 1, 2014.  The OTC Markets changes are designed to attract venture investors to provide more information to investors and to improve such information with Real-Time Level 2 quotes.  The OTC Markets press and informational releases related to the change concentrate on the push to create a successful venture-stage marketplace by removing underperforming companies.

Background

The www.otcmarkets.com divides issuers into three (3) levels: OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink.

Issuers on the OTCQX must be fully reporting and current in their reporting obligations with the SEC and also undergo a quality review by industry professionals.  Issuers on the OTCQB must be fully reporting and current in their reporting

The NASDAQ Private Market

On Wednesday, March 6, 2013, NASDAQ surprised the small-cap and investment community when it announced it is acquiring Sharepost’s private company market place (PCMP) exchange and rebranding it.  On March 5, 2014, NASDAQ officially launched the NASDAQ Private Market (“NPM”) a new marketplace for private companies.  A PCMP is a trading platform, such as SharePost or SecondMarket, that provides a marketplace for illiquid restricted securities, such as private company securities, 144 stock, debt instruments, warrants, and the like or alternative assets.  It is on a PCMP that pre-IPO Facebook, Groupon and LinkedIn received their trading start.

The official NASDAQ press release announcing the launch of the NPM states that the NPM will “provide qualifying private companies the tools and resources to efficiently

OTC Markets Comments on Proposed SEC Rules Regarding Amendments to Regulation D, Form D and Rule 156

On July 10, 2013, the SEC issued proposed rules further amending Regulation D, Form D and Rule 156.  On September 23, 2013 the OTC Markets Group published a letter responding to the SEC’s request for comments on the proposed rules.  The entire OTC Markets comment letter is available on both the OTC Markets website and the SEC website.  The OTC Markets Group, through OTC Link, owns and operates OTC Markets and its quotation platforms including OTCQX, OTCQB and pink sheets.

Summary of Proposed Rule Changes

The proposed amendments will (i) require the filing of a Form D to be made before the Issuer engages in any general solicitation or advertising in a Rule 506(c) offering and require the filing of a closing

市場総括 ― 2026年第1四半期

今回のマーケットレポートでは、2026年第1四半期を取り上げています。2024年11月および12月のレビューについては  をご覧ください2024年10月については2025年第1四半期については 、2025年第2四半期については2025年第3四半期についてはそして2025年第4四半期については をご参照ください。

2025年第4四半期に、時価総額3,000万ドル以下の小型株IPOは5件(1月に2件、2月に2件、3月に1件)プライシングされました。これは2025年第3四半期の23件から大幅な減少であり、さらに第3四半期自体も減少傾向にあったことを踏まえると、四半期ベースで明確な減少トレンドとなっています。実際のところ、四半期全体としてこれほど少ない小型株ディール数は記憶にない水準です。一方で、ダイレクト・リスティングは引き続き拡大しており、2025年第4四半期には7件が取引を開始しました。以下は、第1四半期のIPOに関する主要ディール情報をまとめたチャートです。

また、2026年第1四半期にはナスダックへの外国企業によるIPOは見られなかった点も注目されます。これは、外国企業に対する不正操作懸念を理由として、ナスダックが上場を阻止する裁量権を拡大した新ルールの直接的な影響である可能性が高いと考えられます。詳細については をご参照ください。

取引所 募集金額 国内/外国発行体 主幹事証券会社
NYSEアメリカン市場 約2,000万ドル 国内 MDB Capital
NYSEアメリカン市場 1,000万ドル 外国 RBW Capital Partners, LLC and Revere Securities, LLC
NYSEアメリカン市場 2,500万ドル 国内 Titan Partners
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 2,400万ドル 国内 The Benchmark Company, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 1,500万ドル 国内 Lucid Capital Markets

著者

ローラ・アンソニー弁護士

設立パートナー

アンソニー、リンダー&カコマノリス

企業法務および証券法務事務所

LAnthony@ALClaw.com

証券弁護士ローラ・アンソニー氏とその経験豊富な法律チームは、中小規模の非公開企業、上場企業、そして上場予定の非公開企業に対して継続的な企業顧問サービスを提供しています。ナスダックNYSEアメリカン、または店頭市場(例えばOTCQBOTCQX)で上場を目指す企業も対象です。20年以上にわたり、Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC(ALC)は、迅速でパーソナライズされた最先端の法的サービスをクライアントに提供してきました。当事務所の評判と人脈は、投資銀行、証券会社、機関投資家、その他の戦略的提携先への紹介など、クライアントにとって非常に貴重なリソースとなっています。当事務所の専門分野には、1933年証券法の募集・販売および登録要件の遵守(レギュレーションDおよびレギュレーションSに基づく私募取引、PIPE取引、証券トークン・オファリング、イニシャル・コイン・オファリングを含む)が含まれますが、これに限定されません。規制A/A+オファリング、S-1、S-3、S-8フォームの登録申請、S-4フォームによる合併登録、1934年証券取引法の遵守(フォーム10による登録、フォーム10-Q、10-K、8-Kおよび14C情報・14A委任状報告書)、あらゆる形態の株式公開取引、合併・買収(リバースマージャーおよびフォワードマージャーを含む)、ナスダックNYSEアメリカンを含む証券取引所のコーポレートガバナンス要件への申請および遵守、一般企業取引、一般契約および事業取引が含まれます。アンソニー氏と当事務所は、合併・買収取引において、買収対象企業と買収企業の双方を代理し、合併契約、株式交換契約、株式購入契約、資産購入契約、組織再編契約などの取引文書を作成します。ALC法務チームは、公開企業が連邦および州の証券法やSROs要件に準拠することを支援しており、15c2-11申請、社名変更、リバース・フォワードスプリット、本拠地変更などにも対応しています。アンソニー氏はまた、中堅・中小企業向けの業界ニュースのトップ情報源であるSecuritiesLawBlog.comの著者であり、企業財務に特化したポッドキャスト『LawCast.com: Corporate Finance in Focus』のプロデューサー兼ホストでもあります。当事務所は、ニューヨーク、ロサンゼルス、マイアミ、ボカラトン、ウェストパームビーチ、アトランタ、フェニックス、スコッツデール、シャーロット、シンシナティ、クリーブランド、ワシントンD.C.、デンバー、タンパ、デトロイト、ダラスなど、多くの主要都市でクライアントを代理しています。

アンソニー氏は、Crowdfunding Professional Association(CfPA)、パームビーチ郡弁護士会、フロリダ州弁護士会、アメリカ弁護士会(ABA)および連邦証券規制やプライベート・エクイティ・ベンチャーキャピタルに関するABA委員会など、さまざまな専門団体のメンバーです。パームビーチ郡およびマーティン郡のアメリカ赤十字社、スーザン・コーメン財団、オポチュニティ社(Opportunity, Inc.)、ニュー・ホープ・チャリティーズ、フォー・アーツ協会(Society of the Four Arts)、ノートン美術館、パームビーチ郡動物園協会、クラヴィス・パフォーミング・アーツ・センターなど、複数の地域社会慈善団体を支援しています。

アンソニー氏はフロリダ州立大学ロースクールを優秀な成績で卒業しており、1993年から弁護士として活動しています。

Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC にお問い合わせください。技術的な内容に関するご質問もいつでも歓迎いたします。

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Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLCは、本情報を教育目的の一般情報として提供しています。本情報は一般的な内容であり、法的助言を構成するものではありません。さらに、本情報の利用や送受信は、当事務所との弁護士–依頼者関係を成立させるものではありません。したがって、本情報を通じて当事務所と行ういかなる通信も、特権または機密として扱われることはありません。

© Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC

市場総括:2025年第4四半期

今回の市場要約は、2025年第4四半期をカバーしています。2024年11月と12月のレビューについては、 を参照してください。2024年10月については、 を参照してください。2025年第1四半期については、 を参照してください。2025年第2四半期については、 を参照してください。 2025年第3四半期については  をご覧ください

2025年第3四半期に価格決定された小型株(調達額3,000万ドル以下)のIPOは23件(10月14件、11月4件、12月5件)となり、2025年第2四半期に価格決定された40件から大幅に減少しました。一方、ダイレクト・リスティングは明確な増加傾向を示しており、2025年第3四半期には6社が取引を開始しました。以下は、第3四半期のIPOに関する主要な取引情報をまとめたチャートです。

取引 募集金額 国内/外国発行体 主幹事証券会社
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 500万ドル 外国 US Tiger Securities, Inc.
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 500万ドル 外国 Cathay Securities, Inc.
ナスダック・グローバル市場 2,000万ドル+16ドル 外国 Joseph Stone Capital, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 1,000万ドル 外国 Cathay Securities, Inc.
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 500万ドル 外国 Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 848万ドル 外国 Bancroft Capital, LLC
NYSEアメリカン市場 1,020万ドル 外国 Revere Securities
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 500万ドル 外国 Craft Capital Management, LLC and Revere Securities
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 560万ドル 外国 Craft Capital Management, LLC and Revere Securities
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 600万ドル 外国 AC Sunshine Securities, LLC and Univest Securities
ナスダック・グローバル市場 3,000万ドル 外国 D. Boral Capital
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 640万ドル 外国 Cathay Securities
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 700万ドル 外国 D. Boral Capital and Revere Securities
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 950万ドル 外国 D. Boral Capital
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 1,500万3,000ドル 国内 Craig-Hallum Capital Group, LLC
NYSEアメリカン市場 1,440万360ドル 外国 Network1 Financial Securities, Inc.
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 400万ドル 国内 D. Boral Capital
NYSEアメリカン市場 1,500万ドル 国内 ThinkEquity
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 1,995万5,000ドル 国内 Northland Capital Markets and Craig-Hallum Capital Group, LLC
NYSEアメリカン市場 1,000万ドル 外国 ThinkEquity
NYSEアメリカン市場 1,000万ドル 外国
Read More »

2025年第3四半期のマーケットまとめ

今回の市場概況では、2025年第3四半期を取り上げます。2024年11月および12月のレビューは

2024年10月分は

2025年第1四半期のまとめは

そして第2四半期については

をご覧ください

2025年第3四半期には、時価総額3,000万ドル以下のスモールキャップIPOが40件(7月に17件、8月に16件、9月に7件)実施され、第2四半期からの増加傾向が見られました。以下は、第3四半期におけるIPOの主な取引情報をまとめたチャートです。

取引 募集金額 国内/外国発行体 主幹事証券会社
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 937万5,000ドル 外国 Cathay Securities, Inc.
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 2,750万ドル 国内 The Benchmark Company; Roth Capital Partners
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 550万ドル 外国 R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc.
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 650万ドル 外国 Joseph Stone Capital, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 896万ドル 外国 Bancroft Capital, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 600万ドル 外国 D. Boral Capital; Benjamin Securities, Inc.
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 500万ドル 外国 Eddid Securities USA, Inc.
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 800万ドル 外国 Bancroft Capital, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 550万ドル 外国 Dominari Securities; Pacific Century Securities, LLC; Revere Securities
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 1,500万ドル 外国 D. Boral Capital
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 640万ドル 外国 American Trust Investment Services, Inc.
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 1,500万ドル 外国 D. Boral Capital; Craft Capital Management, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 1,500万ドル 外国 Craft Capital Management, LLC; WestPark Capital
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 800万ドル 外国 Bancroft Capital, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 580万ドル 外国 Benjamin Securities, Inc.; Prime Number Capital
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 600万ドル 国内 Dawson James Securities, Inc.; EF Hutton, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 500万ドル 外国 Maxim Group, LLC
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 1,200万ドル 外国 Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC; TFI Securities and Futures Limited
ナスダック・キャピタル市場 560万ドル 外国
Read More »

Crypto Industry Gets A Second Chance

The last time I substantively wrote about cryptocurrencies and the crypto industry was in April 2023, when the SEC was firmly hostile against the industry and a slew of negative events (FTX collapse, etc..) pretty well eliminated crypto as an active element in the capital markets (see HERE).  That has changed!

Here is a recap of the newly regenerated crypto capital markets initiatives:

Digital Asset Executive Order

On January 23, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order entitled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology” supporting the growth of the digital asset industry in the U.S.  The order specifically:

  • Protects and promotes the ability of individual citizens and private-sector entities to access and use open blockchain including the ability to develop and deploy software to participate in mining and validating crypto assets;
  • Allow individual citizens and private-sector entities to self-custody digital assets;
  • Promotes and protects the U.S. dollar through the development and growth of dollar backed stablecoins;
Read More »

Widespread “Dealer” Litigation Is Almost Over!

In August 2024, then SEC Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda made a public statement against the rampant enforcement proceedings against small cap investors claiming violations of the dealer registration requirements (see HERE).  Fast forward to today, now Chair of the SEC, Mr. Uyeda, is sticking by his contentions and finally, after eight long years of numerous enforcement proceedings, is directing the SEC to roll back its position.

What Happened

This week, the SEC enforcement division entered into two joint motions halting ongoing litigation claiming violations of the dealer registration rules.  The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered an order in the case involving Auctus Fund Management staying the case while the parties wrap up an agreement to end the litigation.  Under the agreement Auctus will not seek attorney fees from the government or pursue a review of the enforcement action.

In the filing, Auctus said “[T]he parties have reached an agreement in principle to dismiss this

NASDAQ Proposes Amendment To Liquidity Listing Standard

On December 12, 2024, Nasdaq proposed an amendment to its liquidity listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market and Nasdaq Global Market such that the market value of unrestricted publicly held shares requirement could only be satisfied from the proceeds of the initial public offering.  That is, Nasdaq would no longer count shares registered for re-sale by existing shareholders towards satisfying this listing standard.  Nasdaq is also proposing to make similar changes affecting companies the uplist onto the Nasdaq from OTC Markets.

To list its securities on Nasdaq Capital Market or Nasdaq Global Market, a company is required to meet: (a) certain initial quantitative and qualitative requirements and (b) certain continuing quantitative and qualitative requirements.  The quantitative listing thresholds for initial listing are generally higher than for continued listing, thus helping to ensure that companies have reached a sufficient level of maturity prior to listing.  NASDAQ also requires listed companies to meet stringent corporate governance standards.

Listing

Commissioner Uyeda’s Statement On Dealer Litigation

On August 19, 2024, SEC Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda published a statement regarding one of the numerous defendants in SEC initiated enforcement proceedings claiming unlicensed dealer activity.  The statement resonates with the sentiments of most of my colleagues, peers and clients.

Background

In November 2017 the SEC shocked the industry when it filed an action against Microcap Equity Group, LLC and its principal alleging that its investing activity required licensing as a dealer under Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act.  Since that time, the SEC has filed numerous additional cases with the sole allegation being that the investor acted as an unregistered dealer.  In each case, the investor entity purchased convertible promissory notes from micro-cap OTC Markets issuers (or other existing note holders), which, after the applicable Rule 144 holding period, were converted into shares of common stock and sold on the open market.  As the securities were generally low priced, the conversions resulted in large quantities of additional

SEC Statements On Cybersecurity – Part 2

On September 20, 2017, SEC Chair Jay Clayton issued a statement on cybersecurity that included the astonishing revelation that the SEC Edgar system had been hacked in 2016. Since the original statement, the SEC has confirmed that personal information on at least two individuals was obtained in the incident. Following Jay Clayton’s initial statement, on September 25, 2017, the SEC announced two new cyber-based enforcement initiatives targeting the protection of retail investors, including protection related to distributed ledger technology (DLT) and initial coin or cryptocurrency offerings (ICO’s).

The issue of cybersecurity is at the forefront for the SEC, and Jay Clayton is asking the House Committee on Financial Services to increase the SEC’s budget by $100 million to enhance the SEC’s cybersecurity efforts.

This is the second in a two-part blog series summarizing Jay Clayton’s statement, the SEC EDGAR hacking and the new initiatives. Part I of this blog, which outlined Chair Clayton’s statement on cybersecurity and the EDGAR

SEC Announces Examination Priorities For 2017

On January 12, 2017, the SEC announced its Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) priorities for 2017. The OCIE examines and reviews a wide variety of financial institutions, including investment advisors, investment companies, broker-dealers, transfer agents, clearing agencies and national securities exchanges. The OCIE examination goals are to promote compliance, prevent fraud, identify risk and inform policy.

The priorities this year have a primary focus on (i) protecting retail investors, especially those saving for retirement; (ii) assessing market-wide risks; and (iii) new forms of technology, including automated investments advice.

The SEC shares its annual examination priorities as a heads-up and to encourage industry participants to conduct independent reviews and make efforts for increased compliance, prior to an SEC examination, investigation or potential enforcement proceeding. Moreover, the SEC chooses its priority list in conjunction with discussions with all divisions of the SEC and other market regulators and identifies what it believes are the areas that present heightened risk to investors

SEC Announces Examination Priorities For 2015; Focus On Transfer Agents, Investment Advisers and Broker Dealers

On January 13, 2015, the SEC published its Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) priorities for 2015.  The OCIE examines and reviews a wide variety of financial institutions, including investment advisers, investment companies, broker-dealers, transfer agents, clearing agencies and national securities exchanges. 

The priorities this year have a primary focus on (i) protecting retail investors, especially those saving for retirement; (ii) assessing market-wide risks; and (iii) using data analytics to identify signs of potential illegal activity.  In addition, the SEC will examine municipal advisers, proxy services, never-before-examined investment companies, fees and expenses in private equity and transfer agents. 

Transfer agents and broker-dealers will be scrutinized for potential claims of engaging in or aiding and abetting pump-and-dump or market manipulation schemes.

The SEC shares its annual examination priorities as a heads-up and to encourage industry participants to conduct independent reviews and make efforts for increased compliance, prior to an SEC examination, investigation or potential enforcement proceeding.  Moreover, the SEC chooses

Public Company SEC Reporting Requirements

A public company with a class of securities registered under either Section 12 or which is subject to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) must file reports with the SEC (“Reporting Requirements”).  The underlying basis of the Reporting Requirements is to keep shareholders and the markets informed on a regular basis in a transparent manner.   Reports filed with the SEC can be viewed by the public on the SEC EDGAR website.  The required reports include an annual Form 10-K, quarterly Form 10Q’s and current periodic Form 8-K as well as proxy reports and certain shareholder and affiliate reporting requirements. 

A company becomes subject to the Reporting Requirements by filing an

Guide to Reverse Merger Transaction

What is a reverse merger?  What is the process?

A reverse merger is the most common alternative to an initial public offering (IPO) or direct public offering (DPO) for a company seeking to go public.  A “reverse merger” allows a privately held company to go public by acquiring a controlling interest in, and merging with, a public operating or public shell company.  The SEC defines a “shell company” as a publically traded company with (1) no or nominal operations and (2) either no or nominal assets or assets consisting solely of any amount of cash and cash equivalents.

In a reverse merger process, the private operating company shareholders exchange their shares of the private company for either new or existing shares of the public company so that

Crowdfunding Using Intrastate Offerings and Rule 147 – Is Florida Next?

As required by Title III of the JOBS Act, on October 23, 2013, the SEC published proposed crowdfunding rules.  The SEC has dubbed the new rules “Regulation Crowdfunding.” The entire 584-page text of the rule release is available on the SEC website. The proposed rules invite public comment on many points and have indeed resulted in such comments.  As of today, it is unclear when final rules will be released and passed into law and what changes those final rules will have from the proposed rules.  Moreover, upon passage of the final rules, there will be a period of ramping up time in which crowdfunding portals complete the process of registering with the SEC, becoming members of FINRA and completing the necessary steps to ensure that their portal operates in compliance with those final rules.  Federal crowdfunding it coming, but it is a slow process.

In the meantime, many states have recently either enacted or introduced state-specific crowdfunding

Understanding Section 3(a)(9) Exchanges and Conversions as Related to Convertible Promissory Notes

As an attorney specializing in the representation of companies and investment funds in the micro, small and mid cap arena, we work on corporate financing transactions involving convertible debt almost daily.  These transactions provide a tremendous amount of benefit to these small cap companies, in that they obtain cash today that will be repaid with common stock tomorrow.  Financing using convertible instruments that are repaid with stock is one of the many reasons an entity may choose to go public.  However, the financing comes at a price including both dilution to existing stockholders and likely a reduced stock price resulting from the selling pressure when the debt is converted.  Of course, all financing has pros and cons and public entities need to consider

A Basic Overview of Rule 144

 The Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) Rule 144 sets forth certain requirements for the use of Section 4(1) for the resale of securities.  Section 4(1) of the Securities Act provides an exemption for a transaction “by a person other than an issuer, underwriter, or dealer.” The terms “Issuer” and “dealer” have pretty straightforward meanings under the Securities Act, but the term “underwriter” does not.  Rule 144 provides a safe harbor from the definition of “underwriter.”  If all the requirements for Rule 144 are met, the seller will not be deemed an underwriter and the purchaser will receive unrestricted securities.

Although not set out in the statute, all transfer agents and Issuers, along with most clearing and brokerage firms, require an opinion of

Proposed Crowdfunding Rules – Part IV

As required by Title III of the JOBS Act, on October 23, 2013, the SEC published proposed crowdfunding rules.  The SEC has dubbed the new rules “Regulation Crowdfunding.” The entire text of the rule release is available on the SEC website.  In a series of blogs, I am summarizing the lengthy rule release.  This Part IV of my series continues a discussion of the in-depth disclosure requirements for Issuers for use in their offering statements.  In particular, Parts II and III addressed the Issuer disclosure requirements, other than financial disclosures.  This Part IV in the series discusses Issuer financial disclosure obligations.

Summary Breakdown of Proposed New Rules – Requirements on Issuers

Disclosure Requirements

Pursuant to the CROWDFUND Act as set forth

Proposed Crowdfunding Rules – Part II

As required by Title III of the JOBS Act, on October 23, 2013, the SEC has published proposed crowdfunding rules.  The SEC has dubbed the new rules “Regulation Crowdfunding.” The entire text of the rule release is available on the SEC website.

Background

Crowdfunding generally is where an entity or individual raises funds by seeking small contributions from a large number of people.  The crowdfunder sets a goal amount to be raised from the crowd with the funds to be used for a specific business purpose.  In addition, a crowdfunding campaign allows the crowd to communicate with each other, thus adding the benefit of the “wisdom of the crowd.”  Small businesses can particularly benefit from crowdfunding as they are not limited by

Mergers and Acquisitions; Merger Documents Outlined

An Outline Of the Transaction

The Confidentiality Agreement

Generally the first step in an M&A deal is executing a confidentiality agreement and letter of intent.  These documents can be combined or separate.  If the parties are exchanging information prior to reaching the letter of intent stage of a potential transaction, a confidentiality agreement should be executed first.

In addition to requiring that both parties keep information confidential, a confidentiality agreement sets forth important parameters on the use of information.  For instance, a reporting entity may have disclosure obligations in association with the initial negotiations for a transaction, which would need to be exempted from the confidentiality provisions.  Moreover, a confidentiality agreement may contain other provisions unrelated to confidentiality such as a prohibition against

How to Complete an Unregistered Spin-Off

A spin-off is when a parent company distributes shares of a subsidiary to the parent company’s shareholders such that the subsidiary separates from the parent and is no longer a subsidiary.  The distribution normally takes the form of a dividend by the parent corporation.   In Staff Legal Bulletin No. 4, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) explains how and under what circumstances a spin-off can be completed without the necessity of filing a registration statement.

In particular, the subsidiary shares (the shares distributed to the parent company shareholders) do not need to be registered if the following five conditions are met: (i) the parent shareholders do not provide consideration for the spun-off shares; (ii) the spin-off is pro-rata to the parent shareholders; (iii)

DTC Unveils Procedures and Plans for a Rule Change that Applies to Issuers Affected By Chills and Locks

Background

Back in October and November of 2011, I wrote a series of blogs regarding DTC eligibility for OTC (over-the-counter) Issuers.  A key eligibility criterion is that the securities that were distributed in accordance with Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933 do not have transfer restrictions and are freely tradable.  To meet this criterion, the securities must have been issued pursuant to an effective registration statement or valid exemption thereto.  I have followed that series with various blogs regarding DTC chills and the evolving process to first learn the cause of the chill and second, to reach a resolution. 

The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) is a central securities depository in the U.S. which was originally created

SEC has Modified Policies on Offerings by Shell Companies

Recently, albeit not officially, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has materially altered its position on offerings by shell companies that are not blank-check companies.  In particular, over the past year, numerous shell companies that are not also blank-check companies have completed offerings using an S-1 registration statement and successfully obtained market maker support and a ticker symbol from FINRA and are trading.  As recently as 18 months ago, this was not possible.

Rule 419 and Blank-Check Companies

The provisions of Rule 419 apply to every registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by a blank-check company.  Rule 419 requires that the blank-check company filing such registration statement deposit the securities being offered and proceeds of the offering into

An Overview of Exemptions for Hedge Fund Advisors: Exemptions for Advisors to Venture Capital Funds, Private Fund Advisors with Less Than $150 Million in Assets Under Management, and Foreign Private Advisors – Part IV

The JOBS Act is not the only recent congressional act to change the landscape of hedge funds; the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) made significant changes as well.

In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act eliminated the oft relied upon exemption from registration for private hedge fund advisors for those advisors with fewer than 15 clients.  While eliminating the private advisor exemption, Dodd-Frank created three new exemptions, which are the operable hedge fund advisor exemptions today.  These exemptions are for:

                (1) Advisors solely to venture capital funds;

                (2) Advisors solely to private funds with less than $150 million in assets under management in the U.S.; and

                (3) Certain foreign advisers without a place of business in the U.S.

Moreover, the

State Crowdfunding Using Intrastate Offerings and Rule 147

The SEC has yet to publish proposed rules under Title III of the JOBS Act – the Crowdfunding Act.  The Crowdfunding Act amends Section 4 by of the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) to create a new exemption to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act.  The new exemption allows Issuers to solicit “crowds” to sell up to $1 million in securities as long as no individual investment exceeds certain threshold amounts.

The threshold amount sold to any single investor cannot exceed (a) the greater of $2,000 or 5% of the annual income or net worth of such investor, if their annual income or net worth is less than $100,000; and (b) 10% of the annual

Will FINRA Rule Changes Related to Private Placement Further Deter Broker Dealers From Placing the Securities of Small Businesses?

On August 19, 2013, FINRA published Regulatory Notice 13-26 about the updated Private Placement Form that firms must file with FINRA when acting as a placement agent for the private placement of securities.  A copy of the form is included with the regulatory notice at www.finra.org/web/groups/industry/@ip/@reg/@notice/documents/notices/p325359.pdf.  The Form went effective on July 1, 2013.  FINRA has also updated the FAQs relating to the Private Placement Form.  The updated Private Placement Form has six new questions:

  • Is this a contingency offering?
  • Does the issuer have
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The SEC has Issued Proposed Rules Amending Regulation D, Form D and Rule 156 – Part II

July 10, 2013, the same day the SEC adopted final rules eliminating the prohibition against general solicitation and advertising in Rules 506 and 144A offerings as required by Title II of the JOBS Act, and adopted new rules disqualifying felons and other bad actors from participating in Rule 506 offerings as required by Section 926 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC issued proposed rules further amending Regulation D, Form D and Rule 156.  On August 19, 2013, I published a blog detailing the proposed rule changes

The SEC has Issued Proposed Rules Amending Regulation D, Form D and Rule 156 – Part I

On July 10, 2013, the same day the SEC adopted final rules eliminating the prohibition against general solicitation and advertising in Rules 506 and 144A offerings as required by Title II of the JOBS Act, and adopted new rules disqualifying felons and other bad actors from participating in Rule 506 offerings as required by Section 926 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC issued proposed rules further amending Regulation D, Form D and Rule 156. 

Summary of Proposed Rule Changes

The proposed amendments will (i) require

SEC Issued Risk Alert on Options Trading Used to Evade Short Sale Requirements

On Friday August 9, 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a Risk Alert to help market participants detect and prevent options trading that circumvents an SEC short sale rule.

The SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) issued the alert after its examiners observed options trading strategies that appeared to evade certain requirements of the short-sale rule.  The alert describes and warns of the strategies used by some customers, broker-dealers and clearing firms, summarizes related enforcement actions, and makes suggestions regarding practices found to be effective in detecting and preventing trading intended to evade Regulation SHO.

Regulation SHO tightened requirements for short sales, which involve the selling of securities not already owned, usually by the borrowing of securities. Short sellers

SEC Updates May Benefit Equity Line Financing Providers and Issuers

On May 16, 2013, the SEC updated their Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations addressing the point at which an equity line agreement can be determined to be a completed transaction for purposes of filing a resale registration statement. 

Background

Equity line financings are transactions where a company has a long-term contract to put shares to an investor (the equity line provider) at a price, generally determined by a formula based on a discount to market price.  That is, the Issuer has the right to tell the investor when to buy securities from the Issuer over a set period of time and the investor has no right to decline to purchase the securities (or a limited right to decline).  Generally, the dollar value of the

An Overview of Exemptions for Hedge Fund Advisors: Exemptions for Advisors to Venture Capital Funds, Private Fund Advisers with Less Than $150 Million in Assets Under Management, and Foreign Private Advisers – Part III

As the rules that will allow general solicitation and advertising for Rule 506(c) and 144A offerings near effectiveness, our firm has noticed a spike in inquiries related to small hedge funds and feeder funds.  The JOBS Act is not the only recent congressional act to change the landscape of hedge funds; the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) made significant changes as well.

In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act eliminated the oft relied upon exemption from registration for private hedge fund advisors for those advisors with fewer than 15 clients.  While eliminating the private advisor exemption, Dodd-Frank created three new exemptions, which are the operable hedge fund advisor exemptions today.  These exemptions are for:

                (1) Advisors

SEC has Finalized Rules Disqualifying Felons and Other “Bad Actors” from Rule 506 Offerings

On July 10, 2013, the same day the SEC has adopted final rules eliminating the prohibition against general solicitation and advertising in Rules 506 and 144A offerings as required by Title II of the JOBS Act, the SEC adopted new rules disqualifying felons and other bad actors from participating in Rule 506 offerings as required by Section 926 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Background

The Dodd-Frank Act required the SEC to implement rules which disqualify certain Rule 506 offerings based on the individuals involved in the

New SEC Rules Have Eliminated the Prohibition Against General Solicitation and Advertising in Rules 506 and 144A Offerings

In a historic 4-1 vote on July 10, 2013, the SEC has adopted final rules eliminating the prohibition against general solicitation and advertising in Rules 506 and 144A offerings as required by Title II of the JOBS Act.  On the same day, the SEC adopted amendments to Rule 506 to disqualify “felons and bad actors” from participating in Rule 506 offerings.  This blog discusses the rules eliminating the prohibition against general solicitation and advertising.  A separate blog will discuss the felon and bad actor disqualifications.

The SEC has also adopted modifications to Form D to require Issuers to specify if they are conducting an offering that permits general solicitation and advertising and to change the required time of filing the Form D for

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Laura Anthony Esq

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