China Renaissance Delays Results Amid Founder's Disappearance, Shares Plunge 50%
Chinese investment bank China Renaissance has suspended trading of its shares and delayed the release of its annual results due to the unavailability of its founder Bao Fan. The company stated in a late February filing that it had learned of Bao’s involvement in an investigation by authorities but provided no further details.
Bao, 52, is known as a veteran dealmaker who has worked closely with top technology companies in China. He helped broker the merger between Meituan and Dianping in 2015 and has invested in US-listed Chinese electric vehicle makers Nio and Li Auto.
The company's shares plummeted by as much as 50% since Bao went missing in mid-February, according to reports. Auditors were unable to complete their work or sign off on the report due to Bao's absence, and the board was unable to estimate when it would be able to approve audited results for 2022.
China Renaissance has been involved in several high-profile transactions, including the listing of Chinese internet giants Baidu and JD.com. The company is also state-owned and one of China's four biggest lenders.
The disappearance of a key figure at a major investment bank raises questions about the integrity of China's financial sector and the broader impact on the economy. As President Xi Jinping launches a crackdown on corruption in the financial industry, the situation highlights the challenges faced by regulators in enforcing their rules.
Shares in China Renaissance are currently suspended, and the company has set an April 30 deadline for dispatching its annual report, as required by Hong Kong's listing rules. The delayed results have sparked concerns about the stability of the company's financial reporting process.
Chinese investment bank China Renaissance has suspended trading of its shares and delayed the release of its annual results due to the unavailability of its founder Bao Fan. The company stated in a late February filing that it had learned of Bao’s involvement in an investigation by authorities but provided no further details.
Bao, 52, is known as a veteran dealmaker who has worked closely with top technology companies in China. He helped broker the merger between Meituan and Dianping in 2015 and has invested in US-listed Chinese electric vehicle makers Nio and Li Auto.
The company's shares plummeted by as much as 50% since Bao went missing in mid-February, according to reports. Auditors were unable to complete their work or sign off on the report due to Bao's absence, and the board was unable to estimate when it would be able to approve audited results for 2022.
China Renaissance has been involved in several high-profile transactions, including the listing of Chinese internet giants Baidu and JD.com. The company is also state-owned and one of China's four biggest lenders.
The disappearance of a key figure at a major investment bank raises questions about the integrity of China's financial sector and the broader impact on the economy. As President Xi Jinping launches a crackdown on corruption in the financial industry, the situation highlights the challenges faced by regulators in enforcing their rules.
Shares in China Renaissance are currently suspended, and the company has set an April 30 deadline for dispatching its annual report, as required by Hong Kong's listing rules. The delayed results have sparked concerns about the stability of the company's financial reporting process.