China’s Hudong to issue US$1.5b stock

China’s ship engine maker Hudong Heavy Machinery Co says it will issue new shares to buy shipbuilding assets for 12 billion yuan (US$1.5bil). Analysts said the deal would pave the way for a listing of its state parent.

Hudong’s parent, China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), the world’s third largest shipbuilder, was expected to list Hudong in Hong Kong after completing the deal to gain wider access to domestic and overseas capital market, analysts said.