NYSE Euronext is leading the pack of global markets for listing Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in the first half of this year as $25.40 billion was raised through this route - more than any exchange group in the world.
“We have seen IPOs coming from every sector, every region of the globe, and all types and sizes of companies including high-growth, technology and VC-backed enterprises,” NYSE Euronext Co-Head of US Listings and Cash Execution Mr Scott Cutler said in a statement.
“It’s a healthy pipeline despite the continuing economic uncertainty. In the months ahead, we expect to see new listings from quite a broad-based representation of sectors,” Mr Cutler added.
After NYSE Euronext, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange raised $19.7 billion of IPO capital, followed by London Stock Exchange ($17.9 billion).
Other major global IPO markets so far this year include Shenzhen that raised $16.3 billion, followed by Shanghai ($7.4 billion), Singapore ($6.9 billion), Nasdaq ($5 billion), Brazil ($3.8 billion), Warsaw ($2.6 billion) and Toronto ($2.5 billion).
Meanwhile, the number of IPOs backed by venture capital and private equity funds listed on the NYSE has also increased significantly, including LinkedIn, Freescale Semiconductor, Bankrate, and Vanguard Health Systems.
NYSE has also attracted 55 per cent of the technology based IPOs this year. NYSE has listed 17 out of 31, (55 per cent) of the tech IPOs so far this year, up from 44 per cent in 2010.
“Primary activity is slowly taking off again in Europe, amid difficult market conditions, and investors are still cautious with their investments,” NYSE Euronext Group Executive Vice President and Head of International Listings Mr Ronald Kent said.
Nevertheless, 29 exciting newcomers were introduced to our European market during the first 6 months of 2011, including a good deal flow of SMEs and high profile direct listings, boosting market capitalisation by over €19 billion, Mr Kent added.
Mr Kent further said that although uncertainty persists, we see a positive outlook for the rest of the year with many other companies interested in the access to capital and international profile that joining our European market can provide.
Chinese IPOs dominated the primary market in NYSE as 5 Chinese IPOs raised as much as $742.86 million in the second quarter, the statement added.