UP Fintech's Subsidiary Served as an underwriter in Li Auto's IPO

Rhea-AI Summary

On August 3, 2020, it was reported that UP Fintech Holding's subsidiary, Tiger Brokers (NZ), acted as an underwriter for Li Auto's successful IPO, which raised $1.1 billion at $11.5 per ADS. The IPO was notable for attracting over $1.887 billion in subscription orders, with significant backing from institutional investors. Li Auto's shares surged 43% on its debut, bringing its market cap to approximately $13.9 billion. UP Fintech has participated in over 50 Chinese ADR IPOs, solidifying its position as a leading underwriter for China-based firms in the U.S.

Positive

• Li Auto's IPO raised $1.1 billion, marking it as the largest IPO by a Chinese company in the U.S. in 2020.
• UP Fintech received $1.887 billion in subscription orders, demonstrating strong demand for the IPO.
• The shares of Li Auto rose 43% on debut, indicating positive market reception and a strong valuation.

Negative

• None.

NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Li Auto Inc. (NASDAQ: LI) ("Li Auto") rose 43% on its Nasdaq debut on July 30, joining the growing number of electric-vehicle manufacturers listed on U.S. exchanges. Tiger Brokers (NZ) Limited ("TBNZ"), a wholly owned subsidiary of UP Fintech Holding Limited (NASDAQ: TIGR) (together with other affiliates of UP Fintech Holding Limited, "UP Fintech") served as an underwriter in Li Auto's IPO, and in total received subscription orders of $1.887 billion. Of the subscription orders UP Fintech received, more than $1 billion came from institutional investors and $800 million came from retail investors, demonstrating UP Fintech's unparalleled capability to assist China-based companies raise financing in overseas markets.

Founded in 2015, Li Auto is an innovator in China's new energy vehicle market. Li Auto designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric SUVs. Li Auto in total raised $1.1 billion by offering 95 million ADS priced at $11.5 in the IPO, making it the largest IPO by a Chinese company in the U.S. so far in 2020. The shares closed at $16.46 on the end of the first trading day, giving the company a market capitalization of approximately $13.9 billion.

Serving as an underwriter in Li Auto's IPO, UP Fintech assisted the issuer on every step of the process. With a network of more than 500 institutional investors, UP Fintech was able to assist Li Auto connect with a wide range of global institutions, building demand for the new issuance. In addition, the company also engaged with its large retail investor base through its flagship mobile trading app "Tiger Trade". By providing global Chinese retail investors the opportunity to participate in Li Auto's IPO, UP Fintech further enhances its leading market position as the online broker of choice for global Chinese investors.

UP Fintech started to expand its institutional business, particularly investment banking and equity underwriting, in the TMT space in late 2017 and the business continues to grow rapidly. The firm has now participated in over fifty Chinese ADR IPOs including many high-profile Chinese Tech IPOs such as e-commerce giant Pinduoduo (PDD), video streaming platform iQIYI (IQ), and video sharing website Bilibili (BILI). As of June 30, 2020, a total of 16 Chinese companies had held U.S. listings this year and UP Fintech participated in eleven of these IPOs, serving as an underwriter in six of them. UP Fintech maintains its position as the top U.S. IPO underwriter for China-based issuers by deal count among brokerages in both 2019 and H1 2020.

"Being a next-generation investment banking firm specializing in new economy companies, our corporate services team is able to assist and advise on all aspects of the IPO from offer structure and strategy, timing, to equity story and valuation framework. After a successful listing, UP Fintech also provides a variety of ongoing corporate services such as support for secondary equity offerings and ESOP," said Mr. DJ Guo, Head of Investment Banking and Partner of UP Fintech.

Guo noted that UP Fintech will continue its efforts to expand its corporate services offerings to more customers across APAC and the U.S. In June 2020, UP Fintech participated in Warner Music's IPO in the U.S., and also served as a joint bookrunner for the international offering of NetEase's secondary listing in Hong Kong. In the future, the firm plans to continue developing its capabilities to sustain and consolidate its leading position in assisting Chinese companies, especially TMT companies, raise capital in key global financial centers.

About UP Fintech Holding Limited

UP Fintech Holding Limited is a leading online brokerage firm focusing on global Chinese investors. The Company's proprietary mobile and online trading platform enables investors to trade in equities and other financial instruments on multiple exchanges around the world. The Company offers innovative products and services as well as a superior user experience to customers through its "mobile first" strategy, which enables it to better serve and retain current customers as well as attract new ones. The Company offers customers comprehensive brokerage and value-added services, including trade order placement and execution, margin financing, IPO subscription, ESOP management, investor education, community discussion and customer support. The Company's proprietary infrastructure and advanced technology are able to support trades across multiple currencies, multiple markets, multiple products, multiple execution venues and multiple clearinghouses.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other statements, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as the Company's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Forms 20-F and 6-K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's growth strategies; trends and competition in global financial markets; the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic; and governmental policies relating to the Company's industry and general economic conditions in China and other countries. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Li Auto has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1791706/000104746920004324/a2242162z424b4.htm) in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the prospectus can also be obtained by sending an email to srv_prospectus@itiger.com.

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SOURCE UP Fintech Holding Limited

FAQ

What was the significance of Li Auto's IPO for UP Fintech (TIGR)?

Li Auto's IPO is significant for UP Fintech as its subsidiary, Tiger Brokers, acted as an underwriter, helping raise $1.1 billion and showcasing UP Fintech's capabilities in managing large-scale IPOs.

How much did UP Fintech (TIGR) raise in subscription orders for Li Auto's IPO?

UP Fintech received $1.887 billion in subscription orders for Li Auto's IPO, with a majority coming from institutional investors.

What was Li Auto's market capitalization after its IPO debut?

After its IPO debut, Li Auto's market capitalization reached approximately $13.9 billion.

When did Li Auto go public and how much did its shares increase on the first day?

Li Auto went public on July 30, 2020, and its shares increased by 43% on the first day of trading.

How does UP Fintech (TIGR) compare to other underwriters for Chinese companies in the U.S.?

UP Fintech is recognized as the top U.S. IPO underwriter for China-based issuers by deal count, having participated in 11 IPOs in 2020.