Asia-Pacific leads global IPO activity by deal volume in first half of 2014

Four of largest IPOs on Asian exchanges.

Asia-Pacific exchanges had more IPOs in the first half of 2014 than any other region with 217 deals raising US$33.7 billion, an increase of 64 percent and 45 percent respectively on the first half of 2013.

According to a release from EY, four of the 20 largest IPOs in the first half of 2014 were on Asian exchanges, with three IPOs on Hong Kong and one IPO on Tokyo Stock Exchange.

EY noted, though, that activity slowed down in the second quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of the year.

Here's more from EY:

After a bumper start to the year with the reopening of Mainland China’s exchanges to new listings, activity slowed due to approvals again being placed on hold for most of the second quarter,” says Max Loh, EY’s Asean and Singapore Managing Partner.

“But with a further slew of Chinese companies now expected to list this year and solid investor confidence across a range of markets including Hong Kong, Japan and Australia, the stage is set for considerable, albeit constrained, IPO activity in the second half of the year.”

Loh continues: “Indonesia and Thailand are among the top 10 exchanges by deals in Q2 2014 with 8 and 7 deals respectively. Singapore-listed PACC Offshore Services Holdings Ltd, raising US$335.1m; Malaysia-listed Boustead Plantations Bhd, raising US$327.7m; and Thailand-listed Kaset Thai International Sugar Corp pcl, raising US$297.4m were among the top 10 issuers in Asia in Q2 2014.

There is some momentum, which augurs well for the second half of 2014, but the IPO transactions will need to have the right growth story and be priced right to attract investors.”