It’s known for its stinky smell that repels many but has gained it a huge following from fruit lovers in China. But the durian fruit may be having an equally repulsive financial effect for Chongqing Hongjiu Fruit Co. Ltd. (6689.HK), a former highflying fruit seller whose shares have been suspended since March.

Some of the earliest public warning signs from the company, which likes to call itself China’s “number one fruit stock,” came with the abrupt resignation of its auditor, KPMG, in April, after the March 20 trading suspension of its shares. Not long after that, Hongjiu announced a delay in the release of its 2023 annual results, a move that often hints at disagreement between the company and its accountant behind the scenes.

A similar announcement followed in August saying the company’s interim results for the first half of 2024 would be published “as soon as possible” after vetting by its new auditor, Zhonghui Anda CPA. Meanwhile, Hongjiu’s top executives have been steadily pledging their shares in exchange for cash, in what looks like efforts to keep the company operating in a difficult environment.