Bankers brace for Q4 rush as global equity markets rise

[CityFarmer]

No wonder there are much more IPOs nowadays, even in SGX...

Bankers brace for Q4 rush as global equity markets rise

LONDON – Bankers across the globe expect a string of large, high-profile initial public offerings during the rest of the year, on the back of strong equity markets and US Federal Reserve policies that have driven an uptick in IPO activity.

Global equity fundraising is up 16.3 per cent so far this year, boosted by low volatility, record US market highs and a resurgence of capital markets in Europe and Asia.

The next few months could also see several notable initial public offerings from companies with global brand appeal, including micro-blogging network Twitter, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, hotel operator Hilton Worldwide and real estate investment trust Empire State Realty Trust.

“We think the fourth quarter will probably go down in the story books because there are a number of billion-dollar-plus, jumbo IPOs across different sectors,” said Mr Phil Drury, co-head of equity capital markets for the Americas at Citigroup. “Last year was all about small cap growth within tech and retail, but 2013 is actually the reestablishment of the jumbo IPO.”

Global equity fundraising volumes, including IPOs and secondary offerings, totalled US$524.4 billion (S$658.3 billion) year to date, up from US$450.9 billion in the same period last year, according to preliminary Thomson Reuters data.

The increase came amid a 29 per cent rise in global IPO proceeds, excluding Facebook. A total of 467 companies worldwide have gone public so far this year, raising US$85.3 billion, compared with a year ago when 540 companies raised US$66.1 billion through IPOs excluding Facebook.

Bankers are encouraging companies that are considering public offerings to tap the markets sooner rather than later while the going is still good.

“Right now, we are telling issuers to go because there are some potential macro issues out there such as Syria and debt ceiling discussions,” said Mr Frank Maturo, vice chairman of equity capital markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. “Any macro issues could cause some short-term volatility in the market and you just don’t know when those periods are going to occur.” REUTERS
http://www.todayonline.com/business/bank...rkets-rise

[felixleong]

last dance before the music ends ~

[opmi]

When is Milken going to launch REIT for the US Knowledge Universe child care centers?

[specuvestor]

last dance before the music ends ~

KS Li is speaking... we should pause and listen:

* Power Assets Holdings 6.HK controlled by Asia's richest man, Li Ka-shing, plans to sell units in its HK electricity arm seeking an independent listing, subject to approval from stock exchange, board directors and shareholders.
This is adding to speculation that the billionaire is selling assets in HK.
* Li could raise up to HK$38b from the sale of as much as 70% stake in the division through a business trust structure.
* The company denied speculation that it was withdrawing cash out of HK, where growth is slowing, as it expands aggressively in Europe.
* Co's spokeman said it's a pure commercial decision. Recall this is the same reason given by the co for selling Park'n shop supermkt business last mth.
* Two companies controlled by Li, Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa, have in the past month put for sale some HK$42b worth of assets in HK and mainland, including the supermarket chain ParknShop and an office building in Shanghai, the Oriental Financial Center.

[opmi]

Is KS Li making on a call on HK or call on global market?