Category: Securities Act Compliance

SEC Amends Schedule 13D/G Requirements

SEC Amends Schedule 13D/G Requirements

On October 10, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved amendments to the Regulation 13D-G reporting regime for persons who beneficially own more than 5% of a class of securities (“5% Owners”) that is registered under Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The amendments accelerate the deadlines by which 5% Owners must file initial reports and amendments on Schedule...

SEC Approves Nasdaq Board Diversity Listing Rules

SEC Approves Nasdaq Board Diversity Listing Rules

On August 6, 2021, the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) approved Nasdaq Rules 5605(f) and 5606 on board diversity, which are the first of their kind to be implemented on a national scale in the United States. They are controversial, opposed by SEC Commissioners Hester Peirce and Elad Roisman, and may face legal challenges. While there has been no indication that the NYSE will follow,...

SPAC Talk:  Important Considerations for Private Companies Evaluating a SPAC Going-Public Transaction

SPAC Talk: Important Considerations for Private Companies Evaluating a SPAC Going-Public Transaction

One of the hottest going-public trends in 2020 and 2021 has been the rise of SPACs – Special Purpose Acquisition Companies – as a vehicle for private companies to go public. SPACs are shell companies that are formed, funded and taken public for the purpose of later acquiring an operating company. By merging with a SPAC, the private company effects a reverse takeover, inheriting the...

SEC Staff Releases FAQs on Regulation S-K Amendments

SEC Staff Releases FAQs on Regulation S-K Amendments

In response to commonly asked questions, the SEC staff has released three FAQs related to amendments to the business description, legal proceedings and risk factor disclosure requirements in Regulation S-K Items 101, 103, and 105, discussed here.  The rulemaking became effective on November 9, 2020. Compliance for Form S-3 Registration Statements and Prospectus Supplements The first FAQ clarifies that for registration statements on Form S-3...

SEC Updates Requirements for Business, Legal Proceedings and Risk Factor Disclosures

SEC Updates Requirements for Business, Legal Proceedings and Risk Factor Disclosures

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted amendments to Regulation S-K to update the description of business (Item 101), legal proceedings (Item 103), and risk factors (Item 105) that public companies are required to provide in certain registration statements and reports. These disclosure requirements have not undergone significant revisions in over 30 years. In related remarks, SEC Chair Jay Clayton emphasized the modernizing...

SEC Releases FAQs Relating to Use of Form S-3 Registration Statement in Light of COVID-19 Order

SEC Releases FAQs Relating to Use of Form S-3 Registration Statement in Light of COVID-19 Order

On May 4, 2020, the SEC issued three FAQs relating to the unique circumstances arising from COVID-19 and the use of Form S-3 registration statement.  The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance is not including them within their Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations since these responses relate to unique circumstances arising from COVID-19.  The staff may supplement or amend these responses. The FAQs should provide clarity to...

SEC Clarifies the Compliance Deadline for New Mining Disclosure Rules

SEC Clarifies the Compliance Deadline for New Mining Disclosure Rules

On April 29, 2020, the SEC issued new Compliance & Disclosure Interpretations (the “New C&DIs”) that clarified the compliance deadline for many mining companies that file with the SEC on non-MJDS forms such as Form 10-K or Form 20-F to comply with the SEC’s new mining disclosure rules in Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K. The New C&DIs follow closely on the heels of the National...

Some Thoughts on Preparing Forward-Looking Statements During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Some Thoughts on Preparing Forward-Looking Statements During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, SEC Chair Clayton and Director William Hinman have issued a joint statement urging public companies to provide as much information as is practicable regarding their current financial and operating status, as well as their future operational and financial planning, in upcoming earnings releases and analyst and investor calls. The joint statement is summarized here.  In the joint statement, companies...

SEC Extends Filing Relief for Companies Affected by COVID-19

SEC Extends Filing Relief for Companies Affected by COVID-19

The Securities and Exchange Commission has extended an earlier order, so that subject to certain conditions that we reported on here, public companies may have an additional 45 days from the original due date to file their Exchange Act reports that are otherwise due between March 1 and July 1, 2020. Companies relying on this relief, in compliance with the conditions imposed by the order,...

SEC Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Disclosures and Other Matters

SEC Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Disclosures and Other Matters

On March 25, the SEC issued CF Disclosure Guidance Topic No. 9 that provides the Division of Corporation Finance’s current views regarding disclosure and other securities law obligations that companies should consider with respect to COVID-19 and related business and market disruptions. In the guidance, the SEC recognizes that it may be difficult to assess or predict with precision the broad effects of COVID-19 on...