Hong Kong is world leader in IPOs

Canadian businessmen learn that Hong Kong is No.1 in cross-border listings.

Michael Chan, Assistant Vice President of the Global Markets Division of the Hong Kong Exchange, told Canadian businessmen in Toronto that Hong Kong is the global IPO market leader and the gateway between China and international markets. He also noted that HKEx is the No.1 listed exchange in the world by market capitalization.

Chan said Hong Kong is ranked No.1 in terms of cross-border listings and capital raising by offshore companies. There were 835 cross-border listings in Hong Kong, in 2012. This compares to 290 in London, 119 in New York and 58 in Toronto.

Chan and other Hong Kong officials were in Toronto as guests at a business luncheon jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto, and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Toronto Section).

He noted that international companies increasingly choose to list in Hong Kong. Between 2008 and 2012, the number of international listings in Hong Kong almost doubled. In 2011, newly listed international companies made up 52% of total IPO funds raised.