Tom.com, the Internet venture controlled by tycoon Li Ka-shing, has donated $800,000 to the Community Chest to get a lucky listing number.
Shares of the Internet business, which sparked a huge response during the initial public offering last week, will start trading on the Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) today under the listing number 8001.
Listed companies normally get their codes through a random draw. A spokesman for the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong said Tom.com's lucky number was a first. 'We would only do it if we believe the company will be a big help to the future development of the GEM.' The market, launched on November 25, is the stock exchange's new board for hi-tech stocks.
All 13 listing codes in the market are four-digit beginning with the No 8, a number that sounds similar to fat, the Chinese character for prosperity.
Three other GEM-listed companies received a lucky listing number - but only through a draw. They are T S Telecom (8003), SIIC Medteck (8018) and Timeless Software (8028). Each then donated $300,000 to the Community Chest for the numbers.