According to EY in its latest global report on initial public offerings, all major engines of growth in the global economy are now synchronized in an upward trajectory for the first time since the end of the global financial crisis.
The Asia Pacific region will continue to be the leading wealth driver retaining its position as the most active region for new listings in 2018. EY expects to see this trend continuing into 2018, with initial public offerings (IPOs) expected to rise in Hong Kong, Japan and the Asean region.
Asia-Pacific exchanges witnessed a surge of 44 percent by deal numbers to 935 (IPOs) in 2017 after an exceptionally strong first half of the year. However, the pace of listings slowed in the fourth quarter, which saw only 240 deals, EY said in its report.
Nevertheless exchanges based in Asia-Pacific took the top three rankings globally by deal number in 2017. Greater China exchanges saw 582 new listings this year, a 68 percent increase on 2016.
As 2017 winds down, a healthy pipeline of market-ready companies is growing as a result of lower volatility across regions, equity indices still hitting all-time highs and increasing investor confidence. Martin Steinbach, EY Global and EY Europe, Middle East, India & Africa IPO leader, said that 2018 would be an «exceptional» year for IPOs.
