One of the bankers that I work with often once asked me if I had written a blog with a side-by-side comparison of listing on Nasdaq vs. the OTC Markets and I realized I had not, so it went on the list and with the implementation of the new 15c2-11 rules, now seems a very good time to tackle the project. I’ve added NYSE American to the list as well.
Quantitative and Liquidity Listing Standards
Nasdaq Capital Markets
To list its securities on Nasdaq Capital Markets, a company is required to meet: (a) certain initial quantitative and qualitative requirements and (b) certain continuing quantitative and qualitative requirements. The quantitative listing thresholds for initial listing are generally higher than for continued listing, thus helping to ensure that companies have reached a sufficient level of maturity prior to listing. NASDAQ also requires listed companies to meet stringent corporate governance standards.
| Requirements | Equity Standard | Market Value of
Listed Securities Standard |
Net Income
Standard |
| Listing Rules | 5505(a) and
5505(b)(1) |
5505(a) and
5505(b)(2) |
5505(a) and
5505(b)(3) |
| Stockholders’ equity | $5 million | $4 million | $4 million |
| Market value of unrestricted publicly held shares | $15 million | $15 million | $5 million |
| Operating history | 2 years | N/A | N/A |
| Market value of listed securities | N/A | $50 million* | N/A |
| Net income from continuing operations (in the latest fiscal year or in two of the last three fiscal years) | N/A | N/A | $750,000 |
| Unrestricted publicly held shares | 1 million | 1 million | 1 million |
| Bid price or
Closing Price** |
$4
$3 |
$4
$2 |
$4
$3 |
| Corporate governance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unrestricted round lot shareholders*** | 300 | 300 | 300 |
| Market Makers | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Listing Fee | Application fee – $5,000 first year annual fee depends on listed shares and ranges from $50,000 – $75,000 | Application fee – $5,000 first year annual fee depends on listed shares and ranges from $50,000 – $75,000 | Application fee – $5,000 first year annual fee depends on listed shares and ranges from $50,000 – $75,000 |
| Total IPO Expenses**** | Approximately $750,000 | Approximately $750,000 | Approximately $750,000 |
* Currently traded companies qualifying solely under the Market Value Standard must meet the $50 million market value of listed securities and the applicable bid price requirement for 90 consecutive trading days before applying.
** To qualify under the closing price alternative, a company must have: (i) average annual revenues of $6 million for three years, or (ii) net tangible assets of $5 million, or (iii) net tangible assets of $2 million and a 3-year operating history, in addition to satisfying the other financial and liquidity requirements listed above.
*** Securities subject to resale restrictions for any reason are excluded from the calculation of publicly held shares, market value of publicly held shares and round lot shareholders. In addition, except for SPACs listing under IM-5101-2, at least half of the minimum required number of round lot holders must each hold unrestricted securities with a minimum value of $2,500.
**** Includes legal, accounting, audit, underwriter expense reimbursement, SEC filing fee, road show expenses, EDGAR fees, Nasdaq listing fee, FINRA filing fee and DTC eligibility. Does not include underwriter commission/discount.
In addition to the above requirements, if the security is trading in the U.S. over-the-counter market as of the date of application, the security must have a minimum average daily trading volume of 2,000 shares (including trading volume of the underlying security on the primary market with respect to an ADR), over the 30-trading-day period prior to listing, with trading occurring on more than half of those 30 days, unless such security is listed on the Exchange in connection with a firm commitment underwritten public offering of at least $4 million.
Companies seeking listing in connection with a Regulation A offering must, at the time of approval of the listing, have a minimum operating history of two years.
A company that principally administers its business in a Restrictive Market, and is conducting an initial public offering, must offer a minimum amount of securities in a firm commitment underwritten public offering in the U.S. to public holders that (i) will result in gross proceeds to the company of at least $25 million or (ii) will represent at least 25% of the company’s post-offering Market Value of Listed Securities, whichever is lower. A company that is conducting a business combination with an entity that principally administers its business in a Restrictive Market must have a minimum market value of unrestricted publicly held shares following the business combination equal to the lesser of (i) $25 million or (ii) 25% of the post-business combination entity’s market value of listed securities. A “Restrictive Market” is one in which Nasdaq determines to have secrecy laws, blocking statutes, national security laws or other laws or regulations restricting access to information by regulators of U.S.-listed companies in such jurisdiction. In determining whether a company’s business is principally administered in a Restrictive Market, Nasdaq may consider the geographic locations of the company’s: (i) principal business segments, operations or assets; (ii) board and shareholders’ meetings; (iii) headquarters or principal executive offices; (iv) senior management and employees; and (v) books and records.
NYSE American (MKT)
Like Nasdaq, to list its securities on the NYSE MKT, a company is required to meet: (a) certain initial quantitative and qualitative requirements and (b) certain continuing quantitative and qualitative requirements. Unlike Nasdaq, the NYSE MKT does not exclude restricted securities from its liquidity standards, including round lot shareholders, market value of publicly held shares or total shares outstanding.
| Criteria | Standard 1 | Standard 2 | Standard 3 | Standard 4a | Standard 4b |
| Pre-tax Income(1) | $750,00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Market capitalization | N/A | N/A | $50 million | $75 million
|
N/A |
| Total assets and total revenues | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $75 million in total assets
and $75 million in revenues(1) |
| Market value of public float(2) | $3 million | $15 million | $15 million | $20 million | $20 million |
| Minimum Price | $3 | $3 | $2 | $3 | $3 |
| Operating History | N/A | 2 years | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Shareholders’ Equity | $4 million | $4 million | $4 million | N/A | N/A |
| Public shareholders/Public float (shares)(2) | Option 1: 800/500,000 Option 2: 400/1,000,000 Option 3: 400/500,000(3) |
||||
| Listing Fee | $5,000 application fee and annual fee of either $50,000 or $75,000 depending on number of shares | ||||
| Total IPO Expense | Approximately $750,000 – Includes legal, accounting, audit, underwriter expense reimbursement, SEC filing fee, road show expenses, EDGAR fees, NYSE listing fee, FINRA filing fee and DTC eligibility. Does not include underwriter commission/discount. | ||||
(1) Required in the latest fiscal year, or two of the three most recent fiscal years.
(2) Public shareholders and public float do not include shareholders or shares held directly or indirectly by any officer, director, controlling shareholder or other concentrated (i.e., 10 percent or greater), affiliated or family holdings.
(3) Option 3 requires a daily trading volume of at least 2,000 shares during the six months prior to listing.
OTCQX AND OTCQB
OTC Markets also has qualitative and quantitative listing standards which increase based on the tier being quoted on and whether a company reports to the SEC or alternatively to OTC Markets. Note I did not include the listing qualifications for the OTCQX Premier, which have increased qualitative standards across the board.
| Criteria | OTCQB U.S. | OTCQB International | OTCQX U.S. | OTCQX International |
| Audit Requirements | Audited Financials in accordance with U.S. GAAP by PCAOB auditor.
One year only for Alternative Reporting |
Audited under qualified foreign exchange requirements which must be either IFRS, home country GAAP or U.S. GAAP | Audited Financials in accordance with U.S. GAAP by PCAOB auditor
One year only for Alternative Reporting |
Audited under qualified foreign exchange requirements which must be either IFRS, home country GAAP or U.S. GAAP |
| Reporting and Disclosure | SEC reporting, Regulation A reporting, Bank Reporting or Alternative Reporting | Listed on a qualified foreign exchange and compliant with Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) or be SEC reporting
If foreign exchange, must post reports on OTC Markets through the OTCIQ System. |
SEC reporting, Regulation A reporting, Bank Reporting or Alternative Reporting | Listed on a qualified foreign exchange and compliant with Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) or be SEC reporting
If foreign exchange, must post reports on OTC Markets through the OTCIQ System. |
| Minimum Bid Price* | $.01 | $.01 | $.25 | $.25 |
| Round Lot Shareholders | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Freely tradeable Public Float** | 10% of the total issued and outstanding trading security | 10% of the total issued and outstanding trading security | 10% of the total issued and outstanding trading security | 10% of the total issued and outstanding trading security |
| Transfer Agent | Must participate in Transfer Agent Verified Share Company | Must be SEC registered | Must participate in Transfer Agent Verified Share Company | Must be SEC registered |
| OTC Sponsor | N/A | Must have letter of introduction from qualified OTC Markets Sponsor | Must have letter of introduction from qualified OTC Markets Sponsor | Must have letter of introduction from qualified OTC Markets Sponsor |
| Company Profile | Submit verified company profile through OTCIQ | Submit verified company profile through OTCIQ | Submit verified company profile through OTCIQ | Submit verified company profile through OTCIQ |
| Certification | Post certification signed by CEO/CFO verifying officers, directors, affiliates and advisors | Post certification signed by CEO/CFO verifying officers, directors, affiliates and advisors | Post certification signed by CEO/CFO verifying officers, directors, affiliates and advisors | Post certification signed by CEO/CFO verifying officers, directors, affiliates and advisors |
| Penny Stock Rule*** | N/A | N/A | Must not be a penny stock | Must not be a penny stock |
| Market Capitalization | N/A | N/A | $10 million | $10 million |
| Market Makers | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 |
| Dilution Risk (for more on this, see HERE) | A key consideration in the application process | A key consideration in the application process | A key consideration in the application process | A key consideration in the application process |
| Listing Fee | $5,000 application fee; $14,000 a year; beginning Jan 1, 2022 – $14,220 a year | $5,000 application fee; $14,000 a year; beginning Jan 1, 2022 – $14,220 a year | $5,000 application fee; $23,000 a year; beginning Jan 1, 2022 – $23,400 a year | $5,000 application fee; $23,000 a year; beginning Jan 1, 2022 – $23,400 a year |
| IPO Expenses**** | Approximately $400,000 | Approximately $60,000 | Approximately $400,000 | Approximately $75,000 |
* Must meet the minimum closing bid price for each of the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the company’s application. If listing in conjunction with an IPO, OTC Markets may exempt this requirement but the company must have a market maker meet the minimum closing bid price quote within 3 days of confirmation of quotation eligibility under Rule 15c2-11.
** OTC Markets may grant an exemption to this requirement if (i) at least 5% of the public float is freely tradeable and has a market value of $2 million or more; or (ii) the company has a separate class of securities traded on a national exchange.
*** Company must be penny stock exempt based on audited financials dated within 15 months of the listing. Must meet one of the following penny stock exemptions: (i) Net tangible assets – at least $5 million if less than 3 years of operations or at least $2 million if 3+ years of operations; (ii) Revenue – $6 million average for last 3 years; or (iii) Bid price of $5 or more and one of the following (a) net income of $500,000; (b) net tangible assets of $1 million; (c) revenue of $2 million or (d) total assets of $10 million.
**** Includes legal, accounting, audit, underwriter expense reimbursement, SEC filing fee, road show expenses, EDGAR fees, listing fee, FINRA filing fee and DTC eligibility. Does not include underwriter commission/discount. For international companies, presumes no concurrent capital raise.
Qualitative and Governance Standards
Nasdaq and NYSE MKT
Companies must meet the following corporate governance standards:
| Corporate Governance Requirement | Description |
| Distribution of Annual or Interim Reports | The company must make its annual and interim reports available to shareholders, either by mail or electronically through the company’s website. |
|
Independent Directors |
The Exchange has various requirements regarding a company’s independent directors and audit committee. Although generally the company’s board of directors is required to have a majority of independent directors, there are several exceptions, such as for a controlled company or foreign private issuers.
For a review of the new Nasdaq board diversity rules, see HERE.
For a review of Nasdaq board independence standards, see – HERE.
For a review of the NYSE MKT board independence standards, see – HERE |
|
Audit Committee |
The company is required to have an audit committee consisting solely of independent directors who also satisfy the requirements of SEC Rule 10A-3 and who can read and understand fundamental financial statements. The audit committee must have at least three members. One member of the audit committee must have experience that results in the individual’s financial sophistication.
For a drill down on Nasdaq audit committee requirements, see – HERE..
For a drill down on NYSE MKT audit committee requirements, see – HERE. |
|
Compensation of Executive Officers |
The company is required to have a compensation committee consisting solely of independent directors and having at least two members. The compensation committee must determine, or recommend to the full board for determination, the compensation of the chief executive officer and all other executive officers. Controlled companies and foreign private issuers are exempt from this requirement. |
|
Nomination of Directors |
Independent directors must select or recommend nominees for directors. Controlled companies and foreign private issuers are exempt from this requirement. |
|
Code of Conduct |
The company must adopt a code of conduct applicable to all directors, officers and employees. |
|
Annual Meetings |
The company is required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders no later than one year after the end of its fiscal year. |
|
Solicitation of Proxies |
The company is required to solicit proxies for all shareholder meetings. |
|
Quorum |
The company must provide for a quorum of not less than 33 1/3% of the outstanding shares of it voting stock for any meeting of the holders of its common stock. |
|
Conflict of Interest |
The company must conduct appropriate review and oversight of all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations. |
| Shareholder Approval | The company is required to obtain shareholder approval of certain issuances of securities, including:
· Acquisitions where the issuance equals 20% or more of the pre-transaction outstanding shares, or 5% or more of the pre-transaction outstanding shares whena related party has a 5% or greater interest in the acquisition target (see HERE) · Issuances resulting in a change of control (see HERE) · Equity compensation (see HERE) · Private placements where the issuance equals 20% or more of the pre-transaction outstanding shares at a price less than the greater of book or market value (see HERE) |
|
Voting Rights |
Corporate actions or issuances cannot disparately reduce or restrict the voting rights of existing shareholders.
For a review of the voting rights rules, see – HERE. |
OTC Markets
| Requirement | OTCQB U.S. | OTCQB International | OTCQX U.S. | OTCQX International |
| Bankruptcy or Reorganization Proceedings | Company does not qualify | Company does not qualify | Company does not qualify | Company does not qualify |
| Independent Directors | If Alternative Reporting must have at least 2 independent directors | N/A | 2 independent directors | N/A |
| Audit Committee | If Alternative Reporting must have a audit committee with a majority of independent directors | N/A | Audit committee with a majority of independent directors | N/A |
| Shell Company or Blank Check Company | N/A | N/A | Company does not qualify | N/A |
| Shareholder Meetings | N/A | N/A | Must conduct annual shareholder meeting and make financial reports available to its shareholders at least 15 calendar days prior to such meeting | N/A |
Application Process
Regardless of whether you are applying to list on the OTC Markets or a national securities exchange, the process is similar. All venues conduct background checks on officers/directors/significant shareholders, conduct thorough due diligence on the applicant company and engage in a comment and response process. In addition, both the Nasdaq and NYSE MKT consider the companies ability to maintain the continued listing requirements in the future, generally for a minimum period of 18 months (6 quarters) considering assets, cash flows, burn rates, and reductions in shareholder’s equity.