European IPO markets expected to have raised €28bn in 2016, as year of geopolitical shocks comes to an end

The FINANCIAL — The European IPO market will end the year on a subdued note, with total annual proceeds down by approximately a half, standing at €28.4bn, and volumes down by approximately a quarter, according to latest figures by PwC.  

Notwithstanding this, PwC believes that the IPO market remains open, with liquidity available for the right companies and at the right price.              

Mark Hughes, Capital Markets leader at PwC, says:

“As we move into 2017 investors will be looking at elections in France, Germany and the Netherlands, which have the potential to unsettle the IPO markets across Europe.  Despite the uncertainty that this brings, the European IPO pipeline looks healthy, as investors seek out investment opportunities with compelling and well-supported equity stories.   The pipeline of cross-border IPO activity is also beginning to build, with a number of international companies looking at listing in London.

As a result of the current economic and political outlook, investors will continue to be more selective, backing IPO candidates with an attractive valuation, a differentiated product and an equity story which is underpinned by strong performance. ”

Lucy Tarleton, Capital Markets director at PwC, adds:

“In Q4, London saw its largest IPO of the year with Convatec raising €1.7bn. The Convatec IPO was not without its obstacles as there had to be a compromise on price to get a deal done – a recurring theme during the second half of 2016.

“Despite the lower level of IPO volumes in London in 2016, as with previous quarters, AIM has seen healthy activity levels, with a number of new companies set to join the market before the end of the year.

“In continental Europe, Q4 was dominated by the mega IPO of Innogy, the renewable energy spin off of RWE, which in raising €4.5bn is set to be Europe’s largest of the year. Nasdaq Nordic is set to finish the year as Europe’s most active exchange both in terms of value and volume, as the Nordic IPOs benefit from the involvement of cornerstone investors, providing much needed investor support in uncertain times.”