THE stock regulator in China is considering measures to curb the flow of overseas-traded Chinese companies seeking backdoor listings in the domestic equity market, Bloomberg quoted unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter as saying Tuesday.

    The China Securities Regulatory Commission is weighing possible restrictions on reverse mergers, including capping valuation multiples for deals involving companies that previously traded overseas, according to the sources.

    Another option being discussed is introducing a quota to limit the number of reverse mergers each year from companies formerly listed on a foreign bourse, the sources told Bloomberg.

    Chinese regulators are concerned the valuations mooted for some domestic backdoor listings are too high and could affect the stability of the stock market, the sources said. The government also wants to avoid encouraging more buyouts that could prompt a wave of fund outflows and increase depreciation pressure on the yuan, the sources said.

    At least 47 U.S.-traded Chinese companies have received buyout offers totaling US$42.6 billion since the start of last year, lured by the prospect of relisting at a higher valuation in Shanghai or Shenzhen. Any new regulations could affect companies like U.S.-listed security software maker Qihoo 360 Technology Co., whose US$9.3 billion buyout is still pending after it signed a definitive deal agreement in December.

    “The A-share market has not stabilized yet, and the government is worried that the return of companies with stronger brand names will suck in a lot of liquidity from smaller companies,” Ronald Wan, chief executive officer of Partners Capital International, said Tuesday.

    “They are very cautious and sensitive to anything that will affect stability in the market at the moment,” Wang said.

    (SD-Agencies)