TheCorporateCounsel.net

I blogged earlier this month that Nasdaq’s annual listing fees are increasing January 1st. Now, the NYSE is following suit. The SEC posted this notice of a proposed NYSE rule change that would amend Chapter 9 of the Listed Company Manual to simplify & increase listing fees, as follows:

1. Initial Listing Fees – Replace the per share & one-time fee structure with a flat fee of $295k (which is the current maximum initial listing fee and what a “substantial majority” of recently listed issuers have paid). There would also be a corresponding amendment to apportion this fee, for issuers structured as an UPREIT. If approved, this change would be effective immediately.

2. Annual Listing Fees – Increase the fee from $0.00113 per share to $0.00117 per share and increase the minimum annual fee from $71k to $74k for the primary class of shares. If approved, this change would apply for the 2022 year.

3. SPAC Annual Listing Fees – Replace separate fees for common shares & warrants (which are subject to an aggregate annual limit of $85k) with a flat annual fee of $85k that would cover both common shares and warrants. The NYSE says that most Acquisition Companies currently pay the maximum annual fee of $85k, so this change would have minimal impact and would be easier to implement. If approved, this change would be effective immediately.

Comments are due 21 days after publication of the proposal in the Federal Register – here’s the form.

– Liz Dunshee