(Singapore) – Southeast Asia is pipelining a sizeable IPO deal flow this year following a significant rebound in the region’s stock markets.Companies are reportedly preparing to raise some US$5-7 billion through initial public offerings (IPOs) with mooted government equity divestments possibly producing more.
Thailand’s privatisation of state enterprises for example is looking to raise the market capitalisation of its stock exchange by some US$10 billion in 2002 as the Government executes its plan of listing 16 of its 85 enterprises by 2003.
Singapore has some large issues held over from last year including PSA Corp, Singapore Power and MediaCorp, which if floated this year could raise some US$2 billion.
Malaysia’s toll road operator PLUS and cellular operator Maxis are planning to raise a collective US$1.6 billion from IPOs later this year.
Market benchmarks indices have climbed between 25 percent and 42 percent over the past six months off the back of interest rate cuts and seem to be fuelling real pent-up demand for equity.