Banking

Securities regulator reviews ABC's IPO plan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-09 14:19

BEIJING: China's securities regulators Wednesday began reviewing Agricultural Bank of China Limited's initial public offering application as the lender finalized preparations for its dual listing in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Related readings:  Focus on ABC's IPO  China Life to become ABC's strategic investor  ABC advised to postpone listing plan  ABC's IPO share price undecided

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) Public Offering Review Committee is expected to announce the review result later Wednesday.

The bank is yet to decide its share price range if it receives regulatory approval. Analysts believe it will be in the 2.5 yuan to 2.6 yuan range for A-shares because of recent market volatility.

According to the preliminary prospectus submitted to the CSRC, the ABC plans to sell up to 22.24 billion A-shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and up to 25.41 billion shares in Hong Kong, excluding an over-allotment option.

The ABC, China's main rural lender, is the last of China's "big four" state-owned lenders to go public.