Global IPOs in H1 2017 rebound from market uncertainty with most activity since 2007

- Brisk pace of IPO activity has continued into the second quarter

- Global IPO volume in H1 2017 up 70% and capital raised up 90% compared with H1 2016

- Asia-Pacific sees best first half in 15 years, accounting for 61% of global IPOs and 44% of global proceeds in H1 2017

- 2017 global IPO market activity set to outpace 2016

LONDON, June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The global IPO market in the first half of 2017 is off to one of its strongest starts in nearly a decade. H1 2017 saw proceeds rise by 90% (US$83.4b) and the number of deals increase by 70% (772 IPOs) compared with the first half of 2016. What's more, with 772 IPOs raising US$83.4b, H1 2017 was the most active first half of a year by global number of IPOs since H1 2007. These and other findings were published today in the latest EY Global IPO Trends: Q2 2017.

The Asia-Pacific region leads the global IPO market in terms of volume and proceeds, accounting for 61% (468) of IPOs worldwide and 44% (US$37b) of global proceeds – the highest first half of a year of activity for the region since 2002. Meanwhile, the Americas region accounting for 13% of global IPOs (99 IPOs raising US$25.8b), was led by the US where it saw its own activity surge with proceeds swelling by 216%. EMEIA representing 26% of global IPOs saw modest gains despite geopolitical uncertainties compared with its H1 2016 performance, with volume increasing by 22% (205) and proceeds increasing by 9% (US$20.5b) in the first half of the year.

Dr. Martin Steinbach, EY Global and EY EMEIA IPO Leader, says:

"Economic fundamentals are improving in the major developed economies and IPO pipelines are building. Activity is underpinned by rallies in many bull markets reaching all-time highs, while investor sentiment has brightened and global outlook is positive. With the momentum of the first half, 2017 is poised to surpass 2016 global IPO levels by both number and proceeds."

Asia-Pacific dominates global IPOs

Although IPO activity was slightly down in Q2 2017 compared with the first quarter, Asia-Pacific continued to dominate activity globally. Activity was broadly spread throughout the region with Greater China exchanges the busiest in H1 2017 with 317 IPOs ahead of Australia (& New Zealand) (45), Southeast Asia (48), Japan (38) and South Korea (20). The region also hosted two of the world's three largest IPOs in H1 2017 and saw ten deals greater than US$500m.