News
Ex-district manager of AXA China Region admits attempted HK$1.4m special advance fraud
ICAC, 9-Jul-2018
ICAC, 9-Jul-2018
Ex-HAECO (0044) manager charged with HK$1.6m unnecessary aircraft technical drawing orders fraud
ICAC, 6-Jul-2018
ICAC, 6-Jul-2018
3 Midland (1200) agents charged with HK$146k extra commission fraud over sale of new flat
ICAC, 4-Jul-2018
ICAC, 4-Jul-2018
HK Government invasion of the housing market
Webb-site.com, 2-Jul-2018
HK Chief Executive Carrie Lam has ended her first year with a new set of interventions, building on the crumbling foundations of her predecessors. It's time for a major policy rethink. A government's role is to ensure that people have a home, not that they own one. And the government doesn't need to own homes either.
Webb-site.com, 2-Jul-2018
HK Chief Executive Carrie Lam has ended her first year with a new set of interventions, building on the crumbling foundations of her predecessors. It's time for a major policy rethink. A government's role is to ensure that people have a home, not that they own one. And the government doesn't need to own homes either.
SFC takes former CEO and Chairman of China Forestry (delisted) to Market Misconduct Tribunal
SFC, 28-Jun-2018
SFC, 28-Jun-2018
HKICPA fines Baker Tilly and Mr Au Yiu Kwan over 2006 Egana audit
| Our article, 26-Jul-2007
HKICPA, 27-Jun-2018
At last, 11 years after Webb-site blew the whistle on the Egana fraud in our article of 26-Jul-2007, Baker Tilly and its former director get a slap on the wrist and fines of HK$250k and HK$100k respectively for their duff audit. BT even tries to claim that it wasn't responsible for its directors' failings. The audit fee for that year alone was HK$1.47m, far more than the fines. Egana had a market value of HK$7.76bn (US$1bn) on the day of our article, all of which was lost in the collapse.
HKICPA, 27-Jun-2018
At last, 11 years after Webb-site blew the whistle on the Egana fraud in our article of 26-Jul-2007, Baker Tilly and its former director get a slap on the wrist and fines of HK$250k and HK$100k respectively for their duff audit. BT even tries to claim that it wasn't responsible for its directors' failings. The audit fee for that year alone was HK$1.47m, far more than the fines. Egana had a market value of HK$7.76bn (US$1bn) on the day of our article, all of which was lost in the collapse.
Disciplinary action against Louis Tang Wai Hung, Cliff Chow Chi Kit and their firm
HKICPA, 25-Jun-2018
For bad audit work on the 2012 accounts of China Technology Solar Power (8111), formerly Soluteck. Mr Tang is fined HK$100k and banned for 2 years. Mr Chow is fined HK$75k and banned for 18 months. W.H. Tang & Partners CPA Ltd is fined HK$150k.
HKICPA, 25-Jun-2018
For bad audit work on the 2012 accounts of China Technology Solar Power (8111), formerly Soluteck. Mr Tang is fined HK$100k and banned for 2 years. Mr Chow is fined HK$75k and banned for 18 months. W.H. Tang & Partners CPA Ltd is fined HK$150k.
Listing Committee censures Ms Zhou Bao Ying, ex-Huarong International (0993)
SEHK, 14-Jun-2018
For failing to cooperate with an investigation.
SEHK, 14-Jun-2018
For failing to cooperate with an investigation.
SFC fines Lau Ki Fung, ex-KGI Asia, HK$80k for failure to keep order records
SFC, 12-Jun-2018
He is now a representative of Caitong International Securities.
SFC, 12-Jun-2018
He is now a representative of Caitong International Securities.
HKICPA bans Sunny Yan Kwok Ting for 5 years
HKICPA, 8-Jun-2018
This relates to alleged lying to the SFC during 2006 in an investigation of Core Pacific-Yamaichi's 2002 sponsorship of Tungda Innovative Lighting.
HKICPA, 8-Jun-2018
This relates to alleged lying to the SFC during 2006 in an investigation of Core Pacific-Yamaichi's 2002 sponsorship of Tungda Innovative Lighting.
2-year market ban and censure of Mr Chan Shing for failure to make general offer for Burwill (0024)
SFC, 7-Jun-2018
SFC, 7-Jun-2018
4 charged with using smartphones to get confidential questions on HK secondary school Chinese exams
ICAC, 4-Jun-2018
All the charges involve allegedly "obtaining access to computers with dishonest intent" - in this case, smartphones, presumably to transmit photos of exam questions and other material. Modern Education (HK) Ltd is a 100% subsidiary of HK Education (1082) which featured in our "Enigma Network" last year.
ICAC, 4-Jun-2018
All the charges involve allegedly "obtaining access to computers with dishonest intent" - in this case, smartphones, presumably to transmit photos of exam questions and other material. Modern Education (HK) Ltd is a 100% subsidiary of HK Education (1082) which featured in our "Enigma Network" last year.
Short positions in Samsonite (1910)
Webb-site.com, 1-Jun-2018
The latest aggregate short positions show a sharp increase of 16.62m shares in the week to 18-May followed by a decrease of 11.91m shares in the week to 25-May. The critical report by Soren Aandahl's Blue Orca Capital was published on 24-May.
Webb-site.com, 1-Jun-2018
The latest aggregate short positions show a sharp increase of 16.62m shares in the week to 18-May followed by a decrease of 11.91m shares in the week to 25-May. The critical report by Soren Aandahl's Blue Orca Capital was published on 24-May.
CE appoints invisible people to Amusement Games Centre Appeal Board.
| Chinese
HK Gazette, 1-Jun-2018
The Chinese version has 8 names. The English version - well obviously nobody cares. Update 2018-06-16: this has now been fixed, following a Webb-site complaint to the Gazette.
HK Gazette, 1-Jun-2018
The Chinese version has 8 names. The English version - well obviously nobody cares. Update 2018-06-16: this has now been fixed, following a Webb-site complaint to the Gazette.
Leung Chun Kwong v Secretary for the Civil Service & another
| SDO Section 7
HK Court of Appeal, 1-Jun-2018
The CA overturns the CFI decision granting Mr Leung benefits for his same-sex partner/spouse and upholds the decision denying him joint assessment for tax. The bigger question, regardless of sexual orientation, is this: why does the Government grant benefits based on marital status in the first place, and is that legal? The Sex Discrimination Ordinance, Section 7(1), prohibits discrimination based on marital status. Employees of equal rank and performance should not have different value of remuneration based on marital status. Mr Leung's complaint was that he did not qualify for discriminatory treatment in favour of married people, but why is there any such discrimination?
HK Court of Appeal, 1-Jun-2018
The CA overturns the CFI decision granting Mr Leung benefits for his same-sex partner/spouse and upholds the decision denying him joint assessment for tax. The bigger question, regardless of sexual orientation, is this: why does the Government grant benefits based on marital status in the first place, and is that legal? The Sex Discrimination Ordinance, Section 7(1), prohibits discrimination based on marital status. Employees of equal rank and performance should not have different value of remuneration based on marital status. Mr Leung's complaint was that he did not qualify for discriminatory treatment in favour of married people, but why is there any such discrimination?
Censure of Mr Gangkhuyag Chultemsuren, ex-IR Resources (8186)
SEHK, 31-May-2018
For failing to co-operate with an investigation. He resigned on 14-May-2015. IR Resources featured in our "Enigma Network" last year.
SEHK, 31-May-2018
For failing to co-operate with an investigation. He resigned on 14-May-2015. IR Resources featured in our "Enigma Network" last year.
SFC fines Hang Seng (0011) HK$3m for lending funds' cash to HSBC (0005) interest-free
SFC, 31-May-2018
For 7 years until 2016, the fund manager placed the cash balances of 39 mutual funds with HSBC at 0% interest.
SFC, 31-May-2018
For 7 years until 2016, the fund manager placed the cash balances of 39 mutual funds with HSBC at 0% interest.
HKICPA fines Mr Yeung Tat Kwong HK$100k
HKICPA, 31-May-2018
Relating to audits of Alan Ho & Co., the defunct law firm of Alan Ho Pak Wa.
HKICPA, 31-May-2018
Relating to audits of Alan Ho & Co., the defunct law firm of Alan Ho Pak Wa.
Our stories
HK Government invasion of the housing market
HK Chief Executive Carrie Lam has ended her first year with a new set of interventions, building on the crumbling foundations of her predecessors. It's time for a major policy rethink. A government's role is to ensure that people have a home, not that they own one. And the government doesn't need to own homes either. (2-Jul-2018)
HK Chief Executive Carrie Lam has ended her first year with a new set of interventions, building on the crumbling foundations of her predecessors. It's time for a major policy rethink. A government's role is to ensure that people have a home, not that they own one. And the government doesn't need to own homes either. (2-Jul-2018)
Short positions in Samsonite (1910)
The latest aggregate short positions show a sharp increase of 16.62m shares in the week to 18-May followed by a decrease of 11.91m shares in the week to 25-May. The critical report by Soren Aandahl's Blue Orca Capital was published on 24-May. (1-Jun-2018)
The latest aggregate short positions show a sharp increase of 16.62m shares in the week to 18-May followed by a decrease of 11.91m shares in the week to 25-May. The critical report by Soren Aandahl's Blue Orca Capital was published on 24-May. (1-Jun-2018)
Why HK has no retail bond market
The HK Government's Pilot Bond Grant Scheme is needless corporate welfare and deflects from the real problem: by protecting bank profits from competition for funding and effectively excluding retail investors, the Government and HKMA are preventing a liquid, exchange-traded bond market from emerging. We explain what they need to do instead. (13-May-2018)
The HK Government's Pilot Bond Grant Scheme is needless corporate welfare and deflects from the real problem: by protecting bank profits from competition for funding and effectively excluding retail investors, the Government and HKMA are preventing a liquid, exchange-traded bond market from emerging. We explain what they need to do instead. (13-May-2018)
Justice is blind, except for haircuts
The Court of Appeal rules that a prison order requiring men to have short hair and allowing women to choose is not discriminatory, because of societal norms for haircuts. We find substantial flaws in this reasoning. We also find that the UK rule which HK inherited was amended by 1999 to remove the discrimination, something that Long Hair's lawyers appear to have overlooked. (1-May-2018)
The Court of Appeal rules that a prison order requiring men to have short hair and allowing women to choose is not discriminatory, because of societal norms for haircuts. We find substantial flaws in this reasoning. We also find that the UK rule which HK inherited was amended by 1999 to remove the discrimination, something that Long Hair's lawyers appear to have overlooked. (1-May-2018)
Carrie Lam's latest assault on free markets
The Government is threatening to broaden rather than repeal a restriction on the resale of event tickets in HK, a restriction which is probably unconstitutional anyway. This runs against the interests of event organisers and performers who benefit from the secondary market as we explain. It also runs against the broader public interest in consumer choice. Let the market function, and repeal section 6 of the POPE Ordinance. What next - a restriction on reselling wine or IPO shares for a profit? (17-Apr-2018)
The Government is threatening to broaden rather than repeal a restriction on the resale of event tickets in HK, a restriction which is probably unconstitutional anyway. This runs against the interests of event organisers and performers who benefit from the secondary market as we explain. It also runs against the broader public interest in consumer choice. Let the market function, and repeal section 6 of the POPE Ordinance. What next - a restriction on reselling wine or IPO shares for a profit? (17-Apr-2018)
Exclusive: HK Government to launch "Christian Bonds"
Webb-site has learned of secret plans to turn Hong Kong into a Christian Finance hub, and of course, they are launching it on Easter Sunday. (1-Apr-2018)
Webb-site has learned of secret plans to turn Hong Kong into a Christian Finance hub, and of course, they are launching it on Easter Sunday. (1-Apr-2018)
Solving the MPF-LSP offset problem, again
The HK Government fails to identify the obvious solution and instead pursues a doomed approach of perpetuating MPF plus LSP. That will either result in taxpayers fully funding a windfall to existing employees or the Government losing a judicial review for overriding the implied terms of existing employment contracts and violating employers' legitimate expectation of not having to pay twice. (30-Mar-2018)
The HK Government fails to identify the obvious solution and instead pursues a doomed approach of perpetuating MPF plus LSP. That will either result in taxpayers fully funding a windfall to existing employees or the Government losing a judicial review for overriding the implied terms of existing employment contracts and violating employers' legitimate expectation of not having to pay twice. (30-Mar-2018)
Respect, the national anthem and the Basic Law
By imposing the National Anthem Law on HK, the CPG seeks to command rather than earn respect. It will trigger another constitutional test of the freedoms promised in the Basic Law as soon as the first international HK soccer match after the law is passed kicks off. We also find a 1941 recording, 8 years before the song became an anthem, including a translation that Beijing would not regard as politically correct today. March on! (25-Mar-2018)
By imposing the National Anthem Law on HK, the CPG seeks to command rather than earn respect. It will trigger another constitutional test of the freedoms promised in the Basic Law as soon as the first international HK soccer match after the law is passed kicks off. We also find a 1941 recording, 8 years before the song became an anthem, including a translation that Beijing would not regard as politically correct today. March on! (25-Mar-2018)
Facebook, Big Brother and China
The political and media furore over external use of Facebook data misses the point. Facebook, Google and other internet giants know far more about their users than any app developer ever will. Facebook offers its own political ad-targeting service based on its analysis of users' data, just part of its over US$40bn of annual monetisation of users through advertising. It's a price that users appear willing to pay for the services, but in authoritarian states like China, with it's pending "Social Credit System" that poses a far bigger threat to society. (23-Mar-2018)
The political and media furore over external use of Facebook data misses the point. Facebook, Google and other internet giants know far more about their users than any app developer ever will. Facebook offers its own political ad-targeting service based on its analysis of users' data, just part of its over US$40bn of annual monetisation of users through advertising. It's a price that users appear willing to pay for the services, but in authoritarian states like China, with it's pending "Social Credit System" that poses a far bigger threat to society. (23-Mar-2018)
Hong Kong's not-so-free economy
The US-based Heritage Foundation has, as always, ranked HK as the freest economy in the World. For once, the Government doesn't accuse foreign forces of interfering in HK's internal affairs. But this rosy view is not held by those who take the time to study the domestic economy. Here are a few things that Heritage may have overlooked. (4-Feb-2018)
The US-based Heritage Foundation has, as always, ranked HK as the freest economy in the World. For once, the Government doesn't accuse foreign forces of interfering in HK's internal affairs. But this rosy view is not held by those who take the time to study the domestic economy. Here are a few things that Heritage may have overlooked. (4-Feb-2018)
Kingston (1031): things you should know
Even after today's plunge, Kingston is trading at 13.2x net tangible assets of $0.508 per share, 70.8x trailing earnings, and is heavily dependent on low-cost loans from its majority shareholder. Don't bet on that continuing. We also look at the extent of its margin lending to controlling shareholders of large numbers of other listed companies. (30-Jan-2018)
Even after today's plunge, Kingston is trading at 13.2x net tangible assets of $0.508 per share, 70.8x trailing earnings, and is heavily dependent on low-cost loans from its majority shareholder. Don't bet on that continuing. We also look at the extent of its margin lending to controlling shareholders of large numbers of other listed companies. (30-Jan-2018)
Your stocks, your way
We're launching new features for registered users. Build your own stock list, use a dashboard to find information on the stocks, and see CCASS movements, total returns and directors' dealings for your stocks in one page. And yes, it's all free! We also encourage users to give something back to the community by anonymously contributing your Governance Ratings of companies and Trust Ratings of people. (24-Jan-2018)
We're launching new features for registered users. Build your own stock list, use a dashboard to find information on the stocks, and see CCASS movements, total returns and directors' dealings for your stocks in one page. And yes, it's all free! We also encourage users to give something back to the community by anonymously contributing your Governance Ratings of companies and Trust Ratings of people. (24-Jan-2018)
Total returns on the worst 5 HSI stocks you could've bought on 30-Oct-2007
With the HSI possibly soon to close at a daily record nominal high (ex-dividends), here's a look at the total return (including reinvestment of dividends) on the worst 5 then-index members you could have bought on 30-Oct-2007, the previous daily high. Esprit (0330) was the market darling of its time - rather like Tencent (0700) is today. Esprit has since returned -95.48% up to 12-Jan-2018. (15-Jan-2018)
With the HSI possibly soon to close at a daily record nominal high (ex-dividends), here's a look at the total return (including reinvestment of dividends) on the worst 5 then-index members you could have bought on 30-Oct-2007, the previous daily high. Esprit (0330) was the market darling of its time - rather like Tencent (0700) is today. Esprit has since returned -95.48% up to 12-Jan-2018. (15-Jan-2018)
The wrong way to pay civil servants
A new ICAC case reminds us that the Government and public sector get bad value for taxpayers and lose good people by paying time-limited benefits that are based on irrelevant factors rather than the value of their services. Scrap all the benefits schemes and pay people what they are worth. At the same time, remove the housing loophole from salaries tax, raise personal allowances and bring down the tax rate to compensate. (13-Jan-2018)
A new ICAC case reminds us that the Government and public sector get bad value for taxpayers and lose good people by paying time-limited benefits that are based on irrelevant factors rather than the value of their services. Scrap all the benefits schemes and pay people what they are worth. At the same time, remove the housing loophole from salaries tax, raise personal allowances and bring down the tax rate to compensate. (13-Jan-2018)
Webb-site Who's Who covers HK solicitors
After a lot of coding over Christmas pudding and more than a dash of brandy butter, we are pleased to launch a new section of our database, monitoring HK lawyers. Now you can answer questions such as: Which are the biggest law firms? Who is the longest-practising solicitor? Who moved jobs this month? How many were admitted in other jurisdictions before or after HK? How many HK solicitors work for the SFC? (12-Jan-2018)
After a lot of coding over Christmas pudding and more than a dash of brandy butter, we are pleased to launch a new section of our database, monitoring HK lawyers. Now you can answer questions such as: Which are the biggest law firms? Who is the longest-practising solicitor? Who moved jobs this month? How many were admitted in other jurisdictions before or after HK? How many HK solicitors work for the SFC? (12-Jan-2018)
Other news
Ex-district manager of AXA China Region admits attempted HK$1.4m special advance fraud
ICAC, 9-Jul-2018
ICAC, 9-Jul-2018
Ex-HAECO (0044) manager charged with HK$1.6m unnecessary aircraft technical drawing orders fraud
ICAC, 6-Jul-2018
ICAC, 6-Jul-2018
3 Midland (1200) agents charged with HK$146k extra commission fraud over sale of new flat
ICAC, 4-Jul-2018
ICAC, 4-Jul-2018
SFC takes former CEO and Chairman of China Forestry (delisted) to Market Misconduct Tribunal
SFC, 28-Jun-2018
SFC, 28-Jun-2018
HKICPA fines Baker Tilly and Mr Au Yiu Kwan over 2006 Egana audit
| Our article, 26-Jul-2007
HKICPA, 27-Jun-2018
At last, 11 years after Webb-site blew the whistle on the Egana fraud in our article of 26-Jul-2007, Baker Tilly and its former director get a slap on the wrist and fines of HK$250k and HK$100k respectively for their duff audit. BT even tries to claim that it wasn't responsible for its directors' failings. The audit fee for that year alone was HK$1.47m, far more than the fines. Egana had a market value of HK$7.76bn (US$1bn) on the day of our article, all of which was lost in the collapse.
HKICPA, 27-Jun-2018
At last, 11 years after Webb-site blew the whistle on the Egana fraud in our article of 26-Jul-2007, Baker Tilly and its former director get a slap on the wrist and fines of HK$250k and HK$100k respectively for their duff audit. BT even tries to claim that it wasn't responsible for its directors' failings. The audit fee for that year alone was HK$1.47m, far more than the fines. Egana had a market value of HK$7.76bn (US$1bn) on the day of our article, all of which was lost in the collapse.
Disciplinary action against Louis Tang Wai Hung, Cliff Chow Chi Kit and their firm
HKICPA, 25-Jun-2018
For bad audit work on the 2012 accounts of China Technology Solar Power (8111), formerly Soluteck. Mr Tang is fined HK$100k and banned for 2 years. Mr Chow is fined HK$75k and banned for 18 months. W.H. Tang & Partners CPA Ltd is fined HK$150k.
HKICPA, 25-Jun-2018
For bad audit work on the 2012 accounts of China Technology Solar Power (8111), formerly Soluteck. Mr Tang is fined HK$100k and banned for 2 years. Mr Chow is fined HK$75k and banned for 18 months. W.H. Tang & Partners CPA Ltd is fined HK$150k.
Listing Committee censures Ms Zhou Bao Ying, ex-Huarong International (0993)
SEHK, 14-Jun-2018
For failing to cooperate with an investigation.
SEHK, 14-Jun-2018
For failing to cooperate with an investigation.
SFC fines Lau Ki Fung, ex-KGI Asia, HK$80k for failure to keep order records
SFC, 12-Jun-2018
He is now a representative of Caitong International Securities.
SFC, 12-Jun-2018
He is now a representative of Caitong International Securities.
HKICPA bans Sunny Yan Kwok Ting for 5 years
HKICPA, 8-Jun-2018
This relates to alleged lying to the SFC during 2006 in an investigation of Core Pacific-Yamaichi's 2002 sponsorship of Tungda Innovative Lighting.
HKICPA, 8-Jun-2018
This relates to alleged lying to the SFC during 2006 in an investigation of Core Pacific-Yamaichi's 2002 sponsorship of Tungda Innovative Lighting.
2-year market ban and censure of Mr Chan Shing for failure to make general offer for Burwill (0024)
SFC, 7-Jun-2018
SFC, 7-Jun-2018
4 charged with using smartphones to get confidential questions on HK secondary school Chinese exams
ICAC, 4-Jun-2018
All the charges involve allegedly "obtaining access to computers with dishonest intent" - in this case, smartphones, presumably to transmit photos of exam questions and other material. Modern Education (HK) Ltd is a 100% subsidiary of HK Education (1082) which featured in our "Enigma Network" last year.
ICAC, 4-Jun-2018
All the charges involve allegedly "obtaining access to computers with dishonest intent" - in this case, smartphones, presumably to transmit photos of exam questions and other material. Modern Education (HK) Ltd is a 100% subsidiary of HK Education (1082) which featured in our "Enigma Network" last year.
Previously on Webb-site.com
Check out our full list of articles in the archive, since our launch in 1998.
Check out our full list of articles in the archive, since our launch in 1998.
Today's birthdays, 16 July
From Webb-site Who's Who
From Webb-site Who's Who
Sign up for our free newsletter
Recommend Webb-site to a friend
Copyright & disclaimer, Privacy policy