2002-02-13
The Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission issued these guidelines pursuant to the Securities Industry Act 1995 to specify the mandatory disclosure requirements for public offering prospectuses. The document details the precise structural and content standards for prospectus sections, including cover pages, risk factors, corporate information, and financial data, to ensure investors receive material information for informed decision-making. It establishes that directors and advisers bear primary liability for accuracy while explicitly stating that the Commission does not evaluate the merits of the securities offered.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Prospectus Guidelines For Public Offerings Issued in accordance with Section 6 (b) of the Securities Industry Act 1995
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES i CONTENTS CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGE 1 General 1 2 Cover Page 3 3 Inside Cover / First Page 4 4 Time Table / Definitions / Table of Contents 5 / Corporate Directory 5 Investor Warning / Information Summary 6 6 Details of the Public Offering 7 7 Risk Factors 9 8 Information about Corporation and Group 11 9 Information on Shareholders / Directors / Key Management 14 10 Related-Party Transactions / Conflicts of Interest 16 11 Other Information Concerning the Corporation or Group 17 12 Financial Information 18 13 Accountant’s Report 20 14 Valuation Certificate 22 15 Directors’ Report 23 16 Additional Information 24 17 Application for Securities 26 18 Documents To Be Made Available For Inspection 27
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 1 CHAPTER 1 General
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 2 10. A prospectus shall contain such information as investors and their professional advisers would reasonably require, and reasonably expect to find there, for the purpose of making an informed assessment of the following: - (a) The financial position, assets and liabilities, profits and losses, and prospects of the issuer of the securities; (b) The rights attaching to those securities; (c) Merits of investing in the securities and the extent of the risk involved in so doing. 11. With regard to paragraph 10 above, the information to be included must be such information which can reasonably be obtained by directors, promoters and principal advisers as well as by the stockbroker, underwriter, auditor, banker, and other professional advisers/experts or any other persons named in the prospectus. 12. Due regard shall also be had to the following:- (a) The nature of the securities and the issuer of the securities; (b) The persons likely to consider their acquisition; (c) The fact that certain matters may reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of professional advisers of any kind whom those persons may reasonably be expected to consult; (d) Any information available to investors or their professional advisers by virtue of any written law or by virtue of requirements imposed by the TTSEC. 13. The TTSEC may require disclosure of such additional information as may be considered appropriate in any particular case.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 3 CHAPTER 2 Cover Page The outside Cover of the Prospectus shall contain the following:-
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 4 CHAPTER 3 Inside Cover / First Page It is important that certain key information, if not included in the outside or inside cover pages, should be at least disclosed on Page 1:
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 5 CHAPTER 4 Time Table / Definitions / Table of Contents / Corporate Directory The prospectus shall be properly structured, with the relevant sections and headings, for ease of reference and cross-reference. The following information should be included: I Indicative Timetable
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 6 CHAPTER 5 Investor Warning/ Information Summary Investor Warning There must be a warning at the front of the Information Summary advising investors that the Information Summary is only a summary of the salient information about the corporation/group and that investors are advised to read the entire prospectus prior to deciding whether to invest. Information Summary
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 7 CHAPTER 6 Details of Public Offering
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 8 6. The prospectus must contain the expenses relating to the public offering on an aggregate basis, including the aggregate remuneration paid for services of the experts.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 9 CHAPTER 7 Risk Factors
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 10 (q) Risks associated with the control of the corporation by a/some shareholder(s). (r) Risks relating to any form of government control or regulation, including government funding, grants or subsidies, tariff protection and environmental regulations, that, when changed, have financial consequences for the corporation. (s) Risks associated with any legal uncertainties concerning the corporation’s business or operations or contractual agreements. (t) Risks associated with the technology used or to be used by the corporation. (u) Risks relating to financial performance which may include, but not be limited to: (i) covenants under borrowing facility agreements which limit the corporation’s/group’s operating and financial flexibilities; (ii) foreseeable capital commitments; and (iii) indebtedness
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 11 CHAPTER 8 Information about Corporation and Group The prospectus must disclose at least the following information about the corporation and group:
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 12 (m) Information on key employees, including: (i) total number of employees; (ii) training and development programmes undertaken and on-going; (iii) whether employees are members of any unions and, if so, to name the unions; (n) Modes of marketing/distribution/sales; (o) Production/operating capacities and output; and (p) Location of: (i) principal assets, both tangible and intangible; (ii) production facilities; (iii) principal place of business; and (iv) marketing and distribution network. 3. Subsidiary and Associated Corporations The information to be disclosed shall include, but not be limited to, the following:- (a) Date and country of incorporation; (b) Brief History; (c) Principal activities and products/services; (d) Major shareholders and percentage effective interest held by the corporation; (e) Issued and paid-up capital; and (f) Whether a particular subsidiary/associated corporation has any subsidiary or associated corporations. 4. Industry Overview In relation to the industry/(ies) in which the corporation/group operates there shall be a disclosure of the following:- (a) Description of the industry (ies) and its position within the industry; (b) Different segments/sectors; (c) Past performance (if applicable); (d) Future growth; (e) Industry players and competition; (f) Relevant laws and regulations governing the industry and peculiarities of the industry; (g) Demand/supply conditions; (h) Substitute products/services; (i) Prospects and outlook of the industry; and (j) Industry’s reliance on and vulnerability to imports. 5. Major Customers and Major Suppliers The prospectus shall contain descriptions of major customers and suppliers.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 13 6. Future Plans, Strategies and Prospects The prospectus shall contain the following: - (a) Description of the business development plans (if any) and future plans of the corporation/group as well as steps taken (including time frame) to realise those plans; (b) Strategies to be adopted to ensure growth; and prospects of the corporation/group in the light of the industry prospects/outlook/conditions, future plans/strategies and competition.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 14 CHAPTER 9 Information on Shareholders / Directors / Key Management
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 15 (d) Shareholding (both direct and indirect) in the corporation 8. Extracts of the constituent documents of the corporation relating to the following should be provided: - (a) Transfer of securities; (b) Remuneration of directors; (c) Voting and borrowing powers of directors, including voting powers in relation to proposals, arrangements or contracts in which they are interested; and (d) Changes in capital and variation of class rights 9. The prospectus must provide a statement as to whether or not any director or key management personnel and, where applicable, its key technical personnel, is or has been involved in any of the following events (whether in or outside Trinidad and Tobago):- (a) A petition under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws was filed (and not struck out) against such person or any partnership in which he was a partner or any corporation of which he was a director or key personnel; or (b) Such person was convicted in a criminal proceeding or is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding; or (c) Such person was the subject of any order, judgment or ruling of any court of competent jurisdiction or regulatory authority temporarily enjoining him from acting as an investment adviser, dealer in securities, director or employee of a financial institution and engaging in any type of business practice or activity. 10. The prospectus must disclose details of any relationships or associations between the major shareholders, promoters, directors, key management or key technical personnel. This should include information on directors’ and substantial shareholders’ direct and indirect shareholdings in the corporation before and after the public offering. 12. Salient details of any existing or proposed service agreements between the corporation/group and its directors and key management or key technical personnel shall be set out. 13. Details of amounts or benefits paid or intended to be paid or given to any promoter within the two years prior to the date of the prospectus shall be disclosed.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 16 CHAPTER 10 Related-Party Transactions/Conflicts of Interest
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 17 CHAPTER 11 Other Information concerning the Corporation/Group
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 18 CHAPTER 12 Financial Information I. Historical Financial Information (1) A prospectus shall contain; (a) An Income Statement of the issuer for: (i) Each of its past 5 financial years or such other period as the Commission may determine; (ii) Any part of a subsequent financial year to the date at which the balance sheet required at paragraph (d) below is made up; (b) A Statement Of Surplus of the issuer for each financial year and the part of a financial year referred to at (a) above; (c) Subject to paragraph (3) below, A Statement Of Changes In The Financial Position of the issuer for each financial year and part of a financial year covered by the income statement referred to at (a) above; (d) A Balance Sheet of the issuer – (i) As at a date not more than one hundred and twenty days before a receipt is issued for the prospectus by the Commission; (ii) Subject to paragraph (2) below, as at the corresponding date of the previous financial year. (2) Where the balance sheet required by paragraph (1)(d)(i) is at a date other than a financial year end, the balance sheet required by paragraph (1)(d)(ii) may be omitted if the prospectus contains a balance sheet as at- (i) The most recent financial year end; and (ii) The most recent financial year end the immediately preceding the most recent year end. (3) Every prospectus of an issuer engaged primarily in the business of investing shall include a statement of changes in net assets instead of the statement of changes in financial position as required by paragraph (1)(c) above. (4) Where the securities to which a prospectus relates are debt securities and the payment of principal or interest is guaranteed, the prospectus shall contain the financial statements required by paragraph (1) above with respect to the guarantor. (5) Where the financial statements required by paragraph (1) above relate to part of a financial year, the prospectus shall contain an income statement, a statement of surplus and a statement of changes in financial position for the comparable period in the preceding financial year.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 19 II. Pro forma Consolidated Balance Sheet and Reporting Accountant’s/ Auditor’s Letter (1) A proforma consolidated balance sheet at the last date to which the accounts are made up (where applicable), adjusted for the following: (a) Any restructurings or acquisitions connected with the proposed public offering ; and (b) Proceeds of the proposed public offering exercise and proposed utilisation of funds. The prospectus shall also set out the details of such adjustments. Such a pro forma will assist investors or analysts in determining the financial effects of the restructuring and the notional financial position of the corporation they are being invited to invest in. (2) The pro forma must also include information on the following: - (a) Current net tangible asset (NTA) per share; and (b) Pro forma NTA per share. (3) The pro forma consolidated balance sheet must be accompanied by a Reporting Accountants’/Auditors’ Letter reporting on the manner on which the statements are compiled.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 20 CHAPTER 13 Accountant’s Report (1) Where the prospectus contains a forecast, that forecast must be reviewed and reported on by an accountant who is qualified to conduct such a review. (2) The report must state that it has been prepared by an accountant who is a member, in good standing, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago. (3) The report must be signed and dated. There shall also be a statement as to whether the report was prepared for incorporation in the prospectus. (4) In making the accountant’s report, the reporting accountant shall, by way of note, state any adjustments in respect of any items in the income statement or balance sheet which have been dealt with in the report. (5) The report must state the following: (a) The basis of accounting policies adopted in preparation of the report; (b) That the report has been prepared in accordance with ICATT/IAS standards. There should also be adequate disclosure on any changes in the accounting policy adopted and the reasons for such changes; Purchase of any Business (6) If the proceeds, or any part of the proceeds, of the issue of the securities are to be utilised directly or indirectly for the purchase of any business, the report must deal with- (a) The income statement of the business, in respect of each of the 5 financial years immediately preceding the last date to which the accounts of the business were made up; and (b) The balance sheet of the business for each of the past 5 financial years immediately preceding the last date to which the accounts of the business were made up. Such date shall not, in any case, be more than 6 months prior to the issue of prospectus.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 21 . Acquisition of another Corporation (7)If - (a) The proceeds, or any part of the proceeds, of the public offering of the securities are to be applied directly or indirectly in any manner resulting in the acquisition by the issuer of securities of any other corporation; and (c) Due to that acquisition, or anything to be done in consequence or in connection with it, that corporation will become a subsidiary of the issuer. (8) For the purposes of the above paragraph, the report shall indicate how the income statement of that other corporation and, where applicable, the consolidated income statement of that other corporation and its subsidiaries dealt with by the report would, in respect of the securities to be acquired, have concerned members of the issuer and what allowance would have to be made, in relation to balance sheet and consolidated balance sheet so dealt with, for holders of other securities, if the issuer had at all material times held the securities to be acquired.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 22 CHAPTER 14 Valuation Certificate I General (1) This chapter applies to valuations for inclusion in the prospectus. (2) All valuations are required to be carried out by independent registered valuers who must ensure compliance with relevant and applicable valuation standards. (3) Valuations shall be set out in the form of Valuation Certificates with reference made to the relevant valuation reports which must be made available for inspection. (4) The Valuation Certificate shall be dated and must contain clear, accurate and adequate information to enable investors and their investment advisers to make an informed investment decision. (6) A Property Schedule shall be appended if valuations involve a number of properties. (7) The following additional information must be disclosed, where relevant: (i) Opinions on legal issues affecting the valuation; (ii) Material contravention of statutory requirements which may include breaches of land use conditions, violation of building bylaws for buildings and/or extensions built etc.; (iii) Relevant details of the following documents which have been duly verified: • Title deeds; • Land/building leases; • Approval letters for conversion of land use; • Planning/layout consents including any material or onerous conditions attached to such consents; • Agreements such as joint venture, privatization, etc.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 23 CHAPTER 15 Directors’ Report The prospectus must contain a report by the directors of the corporation stating whether, after due enquiry by them in relation to the interval between the date to which the last audited accounts of the corporation/group have been made up and the date of filing the prospectus: (a) the business of the corporation and its subsidiary corporations/group has, in their opinion, been satisfactorily maintained; (b) there have, in their opinion, arisen, since the last audited accounts of the corporation/group, any circumstances which have adversely affected the trading or the value of the assets of the corporation or any of its subsidiary corporations/within the group; (c) the current assets of the corporation and its subsidiary corporations appear in the books at values which are believed to be realisable in the ordinary course of business; (d) there are any contingent liabilities by reason of any guarantees or indemnities given by the corporation or any of its subsidiary corporations; (e) there have been, since the last audited accounts of the corporation/group, any changes in the published reserves or any unusual factors affecting the profits of the corporation and its subsidiary corporations/group.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 24 CHAPTER 16 Additional Information As a minimum, the prospectus must contain the following additional information: (1) In relation to any capital of the corporation or any of its subsidiary corporations which is under option, or agreed conditionally or unconditionally to be put under option, the following shall be disclosed: - (a) The number, description and amount of the securities concerned; (b) The period during which the option is exercisable; (c) The exercise price; (d) The consideration given or to be given for the option; and (e) The names of the grantees, provided that, where options have been granted or agreed to be granted to all shareholders or holders of debt securities or to any class thereof or to directors and employees under a share option scheme, it shall be sufficient, so far as the names are concerned, to record that fact without giving the names of the grantees. (2) Information and details of amounts or benefits paid or intended to be paid or given to any promoter within the 2 years prior to the date of the prospectus. (3) Full particulars of any contract or arrangement subsisting at the date of the prospectus in which any director or major shareholder of the corporation is interested and which is significant in relation to the business of the corporation or the group taken as a whole. (4) A statement as to whether either of the following has occurred during the last financial year and the current financial year:- (a) Public take-over offers by third parties in respect of the corporation’s securities; and (b) Public take-over offers by the corporation in respect of other corporations’ securities. (5) If the foregoing statement is in the affirmative, state the price of the offer and the outcome thereof. (6) Where the securities are offered by way of rights or allotted to the holders of an existing listed security, the pro-rata entitlement, the last date on which transfers were or will be accepted for registration for participation in the public offering must be disclosed. A statement of the treatment of any fractions, whether the documents
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 25 of title are renounceable and whether approval has been obtained from the shareholders of the existing listed corporation. (7) There shall be disclosed the amount of any outstanding convertible debt securities of the corporation and its subsidiaries and the conditions governing and the procedures for conversion, exchange or subscription of such securities. (8) Particulars of any capital (of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries) which has, within the period of 2 years immediately preceding the publication of the prospectus, been issued or is proposed to be fully or partly paid-up for a non-cash consideration. Provide a description of the consideration for which the same has been or is to be issued. (9) Particulars of any capital (of the corporation or any of it subsidiaries), which has, within the period of 2 years immediately preceding the publication of the prospectus, been issued or is proposed to be issued for cash. Disclose the price and terms upon which the capital has been or is to be issued and, if not already fully paid, the dates when any instalments are payable with the amount of all calls or instalments in arrears. (10) There shall be provided indication of the persons, so far as known to the corporation, who, directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, exercise control over the corporation and particulars of the proportion of the voting capital held. Joint control means control exercised by 2 or more persons who have concluded an agreement which may lead to their adopting a common policy in respect of the corporation. (11) In the case of share ownership schemes for participation by employees, details of the scheme should be provided. (12) If the prospectus or cover contains photographs or illustrations of properties or assets which do not belong to the corporation, the photographs or illustrations shall be accompanied by a statement to the effect that the properties or assets depicted do not belong to the corporation.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 26 CHAPTER 17 Application for Securities (1). The prospectus shall contain instructions about how to apply for the securities pursuant to the prospectus and how to complete applications. (2) The addresses where completed applications shall be sent should be set out in the prospectus, as well as statements as to whom payment shall be made. (3) The prospectus shall disclose the minimum number of securities that can be applied for and the multiples of additional securities for which investors may apply. (4) The prospectus must state whether directors reserve the right to extend the closing date. (5) The application form must be identifiable with the prospectus to which it relates and warn investors against signing the form without having read and understood the prospectus. Accordingly, the application form must contain the following statements:- (a) the name of the corporation and registration number (if any); (b) the date of the prospectus to which it relates; (c) the expiry date of the prospectus; (d) words to the effect that the application form must not be circulated unless notification is included as to where a copy of the prospectus may be obtained; and (e) words to the effect that investors shall have read the prospectus before completing the application form. (6) Since investors will forward the application to the issuer/placement agent(s), it is important that they retain all information contained in the body of the prospectus for future reference. In respect of an application form, the form and reverse side shall not contain any investment information that is not also contained in the body of the prospectus. (7) If the prospectus offers securities which have been specified by the stock exchange to be prescribed securities, the prospectus must state that the securities are so prescribed and that applicants are required to have securities accounts when making their applications.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROSPECTUS GUIDELINES 27 CHAPTER 18 Documents to be made available for inspection The documents to be made available for inspection must be clearly identified and should include: (a) All legal documents in relation to the issue. (b) Where applicable, all material contracts. (c) Such other documents as the Commission may require. February 13, 2002