Categorise companies on governance, not dividend'

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The trade settlement period is the time it takes for shares or funds to be recorded with associated accounts after a transaction.

It is four days for Z category companies and three days for companies in other categories.

In 2020, the regulator reduced the trade settlement period for Z category companies to four working days instead of the previous 10 days.

However, the rules have further been modified, which would make trading of the shares by sponsors more difficult. The positive aspect is that it also caters to sub-judice matters affecting annual general meetings.

Last week, the BSEC redefined the criteria for companies to be considered and listed as junk.

According to the order, a listed company will be shifted to the Z category if it fails to declare any dividend for two consecutive years instead of one year.

On the other hand, if any company is able to provide interim dividend on the basis of audited financial reports, it can be upgraded from the Z category.