Aquis Stock Exchange launches rule changes and new market segments

DJ Aquis Stock Exchange launches rule changes and new market segments

Aquis Stock Exchange 
Aquis Stock Exchange launches rule changes and new market segments 
 
14-Dec-2020 / 12:21 GMT/BST 
 
Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE) launches rule changes and new market segments 
 
  AQSE is delighted to announce that the proposed changes to the Aquis Stock 
     Exchange (AQSE) Growth Market rules come into effect today, 14 December 
                         2020. Details can be found here [1] on our website. 
 
The AQSE Growth Market is now divided into two segments, 'Access' and 
'Apex', with different admission criteria to provide appropriate support 
across companies' growth cycles. The Access segment will focus on earlier 
stage growth companies, while Apex is intended for larger, more established 
businesses. 
 
As of today: 
 
· New admissions to the Access segment will publish an admission document 
specifically tailored to small cap companies, with proportionate 
disclosure requirements; 
 
· The Access segment will accept SPACs with a minimum market cap of 
GBP700,000; 
 
· New admissions to the Apex segment will be required to publish a growth 
prospectus, allowing private investor participation in their IPOs; and 
 
· Companies on the Apex segment will be protected from short selling by 
third parties 
 
Companies in the Apex segment include: banking company Arbuthnot Banking, 
private equity investment company EPE Special Opportunities, winery Chapel 
Down, breweries Shepherd Neame and Daniel Thwaites, and private healthcare 
provider Rutherford Health. Following these rule changes Apex companies must 
have: 
 
· A minimum market capitalisation of GBP10 million 
 
· At least 25% shares in public hands 
 
· At least 2 market makers 
 
· A minimum 2 years' trading history 
 
· Adopted a recognised governance code, such as the QCA Code 
 
The rule changes mark the end of the consultation launched on 1 May 2020 and 
have been developed to enhance AQSE and increase support from both retail 
and institutional investors. 
 
Additionally, as announced on 23 November, the market maker incentive 
scheme, which has been designed to increase liquidity on the exchange, will 
come into effect on the 4 January 2021. 
 
Commenting on the changes coming into effect, Alasdair Haynes, CEO of Aquis 
said: 
 
"I am delighted to see the new rules in place across Aquis Stock Exchange 
today. I genuinely believe that whilst providing a strong regulatory 
framework, they will make the market work better for all those that use it 
and help to update the stock exchange for the current day, fit to service 
the needs of modern businesses. 
 
Private investors are rightly becoming ever more vocal in their demand for 
better information and equal access. We support this, and through requiring 
companies joining Apex to publish a growth prospectus we are providing a way 
for them to be part of a company's growth journey right from the point of 
floatation. 
 
This is just one example of the work we have undertaken to create a better, 
more supportive marketplace for all. We look forward to welcoming many more 
great growth businesses to Aquis Stock Exchange in due course." 
 
Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. 
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 
End of Announcement - EQS News Service 
 
1154968 14-Dec-2020 
 
 
1: https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=b5beec509fb2f0b9166dff5ddce55712&application_id=1154968&site_id=vwd&application_name=news 
 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 14, 2020 07:21 ET (12:21 GMT)