NYSE Amends Listing Standards For Foreign Private Issuers And Listing Fees For All Issuers
In April the NYSE amended its listing fees for all issuers and in May 2025, amended the standards for foreign private issuers to meet the exchange’s minimum stockholder distribution requirements. The new rules were enacted a few weeks before the SEC published a concept release and request for comment related to foreign private issuers in general (which will be the subject of an upcoming blog).
NYSE Listed Company Rule 902.03 – Fees for Listed Equity Securities
Effective April 1, 2025, the NYSE amended Listed Company Rule 902.03 to reduce the listed company fees for the first five years following an initial listing. The amended rule provides that a company that lists on the exchange will only be charged the initial listing fee plus an annual fee calculated on an adjusted basis for any subsequent issuance or other corporate action (“Limited Fee Exemption Period”).
During the Limited Fee Exemption Period, an eligible company will not be charged any other listing fees
NYSE Amends Listing Standards Related To Reverse Splits To Meet Minimum Price
On January 15, 2025, the SEC approved amendments to NYSE Listed Company Manual Rule 802.01C to allow for an accelerated delisting process where a listed company uses a reverse split to regain compliance with the bid price requirement for continued listing, but that as a result of the reverse split, the company falls below other listing standards, such as the minimum number of round lot holders, or minimum number of shares in the publicly held float. In October 2024, the SEC approved a similar rule change for Nasdaq – see HERE.
The SEC also approved amendments to Rule 802.01C such that: (i) if a listed company has effected a reverse stock split over the prior one-year period; or (ii) has effected one or more reverse stock splits over the prior two year period with a cumulative ratio of 200:1 or more, the company shall not be eligible for any compliance period and will face immediate suspension and delisting.
Background
Nasdaq Adopts New Reverse Split Rule Change
On November 1, 2023, the SEC approved Nasdaq’s rule changes to the notification and disclosure requirements for reverse splits. The new rules went effective immediately upon approval. For the proposed rule changes see HERE.
Background
After the market highs of the second half of 2020 and all of 2021, we have all witnessed the general decline, including noticeably depressed valuations and market price, especially in the small cap space. In 2022, Nasdaq processed 196 reverse stock splits, compared to 31 in 2021 and 94 in 2020. As of June 23, 2023, Nasdaq has processed 164 reverse stock splits, and projects significantly more throughout 2023. The majority of reverse splits are completed by companies that trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market tier of the exchange and are completing the split to maintain the minimum $1.00 bid price to avoid delisting.
In response to concerns by Nasdaq that market participants do not have enough visibility on these companies or their
