Core Viewpoint - The company, Quantitative Finance, is set to launch its IPO on November 27, after a lengthy journey marked by failures and multiple attempts to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. However, the IPO is characterized by significant controversy due to its low net fundraising amount compared to high listing costs, reflecting underlying financial and compliance issues [2][3][4]. Fundraising and Financials - Quantitative Finance plans to issue approximately 13.35 million shares, aiming to raise around 124 million HKD, but will incur listing expenses of 117 million HKD, resulting in a net fundraising amount of only 5.8 million HKD [3][4]. - The net amount raised is insufficient to cover the company's operational costs, as its R&D expenses for the first five months of the year reached 19.44 million HKD, indicating a severe cash flow shortfall [3][4]. - The net fundraising amount is even less than the maximum subscription amount for individual investors, highlighting a lack of confidence in the company's fundamentals [3][4]. Debt and Redemption Pressure - The IPO is driven not by business expansion needs but by the pressure of unresolved redemption obligations from prior financing, which included approximately 1.4 billion HKD in preferred stock with strict redemption clauses [4][5]. - As of October last year, the value of these financial instruments had risen to 1.686 billion HKD, with a requirement for redemption at a compounded annual rate of 10% or 120% of the original investment plus unpaid dividends [5]. - The company's liquidity crisis could be triggered if the IPO fails, as the potential debt could overwhelm its limited cash reserves [5]. Market Confidence and Investor Participation - The absence of cornerstone investors in the IPO indicates a lack of long-term institutional support and confidence in the company's prospects [5][6]. - The proportion of shares being issued is only 2.6% of the total post-IPO share capital, significantly below the typical 10% requirement for free float on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which could lead to stock price volatility post-listing [5][6]. Business Transformation and Compliance Issues - Quantitative Finance's transition from a credit wallet platform to a digital consumption service reflects broader challenges faced by fintech companies in China amid tightening regulations [6][7]. - Despite claims of moving away from financial services, the company still exhibits signs of its previous business model, with a high gross margin of 96.86%, suggesting a reliance on platform service fees rather than product sales [7][8]. - Complaints against the company's platform remain high, indicating ongoing issues related to pricing, consumer inducement, and aggressive collection practices, which may undermine its claims of having moved past its previous lending model [7][8]. Conclusion - While the IPO may temporarily alleviate the company's debt risks, the low net fundraising amount does not address its operational cash flow challenges, and the lack of business growth support raises concerns about the sustainability of its future operations [8].

Core Viewpoint - Quantitative Holdings Limited has submitted its IPO application for the fifth time, following four previous failed attempts since 2022, raising questions about whether this time it can succeed [1]. Group 1: Business Transformation - The company originated in the Chinese fintech sector, initially focusing on its core product "Credit Wallet," which recommended users to financial institutions. However, due to increasing regulatory pressures, the company was forced to pivot its business model [2]. - In November 2020, "Credit Wallet" was upgraded to "Yang Xiaomiao," a consumer-oriented digital trading platform covering various categories such as consumer electronics and food [2]. - As of September 12, 2024, the company has completely terminated its lending business and has committed to regulators not to re-enter this space [2]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Revenue figures from 2022 to 2024 show a growth trajectory: 475 million yuan in 2022, 530 million yuan in 2023, and 993 million yuan in 2024, with 414 million yuan reported in the first five months of 2025, marking a 38.12% year-on-year increase [5]. - The "Yang Xiaomiao" platform has become the main revenue driver, contributing 93.2% of total revenue in 2024, up from 37.8% in 2023 [5]. - The company reported a turnaround from a loss of 283,000 yuan in 2022 to a profit of 1.47 billion yuan in 2024, with a significant increase in gross margin from 69.4% in 2023 to 96.9% in 2024 [5]. Group 3: Operational Challenges - The company faces significant operational issues, with over 30,000 complaints reported on the Black Cat Complaints platform, primarily concerning inflated prices and inducements for cashing out [6]. - Products on the "Yang Xiaomiao" platform are priced significantly higher than mainstream channels, with a Xiaomi 15 Pro listed at 5,869 yuan compared to 4,799 yuan on JD.com, indicating a markup of over 22% [8]. - There are allegations of a gray market cash-out scheme, where consumers report receiving calls to buy back products at prices below market value after purchasing through the platform [8].

Core Viewpoint - Quantitative Finance has made its fifth attempt to enter the capital market, facing multiple failures due to regulatory compliance issues and heavy reliance on its lending business, which remains unresolved [3][4][5]. Group 1: IPO Attempts and Regulatory Challenges - The company plans to issue up to 15,097,500 shares for its IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with proceeds aimed at enhancing R&D capabilities and improving technical infrastructure [2]. - Previous attempts to go public include a failed 2017 application for the U.S. market and four submissions to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange from June 2022 to December 2024, primarily due to issues like hearing failures and compliance doubts [3][4]. - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has requested additional materials regarding business compliance, user complaints, and equity-related issues during the listing process [3][4]. Group 2: Business Model and Compliance Issues - The company transitioned from a cash loan platform to a comprehensive consumer service platform, "Yang Xiaomei," in response to regulatory changes, but the new business has not gained significant market traction, holding only a 0.7% market share in 2023 [4][5]. - The lending business, which includes products like "Enjoy Card" and "Backup Fund," is a major revenue source, but its compliance has been questioned, with the CSRC indicating potential violations of financial regulations [5][8]. - Revenue from the financial institution's precise matching solutions has fluctuated significantly, with a drop from 76.8% in 2021 to 8.3% in the first half of 2024 [6][8]. Group 3: Financial Health and Future Outlook - As of June 2024, the company reported a net asset deficit of 1.025 billion yuan and a debt-to-asset ratio of 222.51%, indicating severe financial distress [14]. - The company faces a redemption obligation of 1.6 billion yuan in preferred shares while having only 335 million yuan in cash, leading to a critical cash flow situation [14][15]. - Concerns about financial risks are heightened due to reliance on the lending business, cash flow issues, and increasing accounts receivable, which rose from 151 million yuan in 2021 to 443 million yuan in 2023 [14][15].