Supported by stable equity returns, global IPO issuance reached the highest levels since 2010. Annual IPO proceeds increased 48.7% to $204.8 billion. North America was the largest contributor to IPO issuance with the United States accounting for 39% of global proceeds. Europe, the Middle East and Africa also experienced jumps in IPO proceeds after facing struggles in recent years due to sovereign debt concerns and economic instability, while IPO issuance in Latin America stagnated as Brazil entered an economic recession and political unrest dampened investor sentiment. Once again, financial companies raised more IPO proceeds than any other sector while the technology sector raised its highest level of annual proceeds ever, thanks to the mega IPO of China’s largest e-commerce firm Alibaba Group Holdings (BABA). Global IPO returns were also impressive in 2014; the average IPO generated a 15.0% return from their offer price. With issuance accelerating and returns strengthening, we expect to see global IPO markets continue to gain momentum and grow in 2015.
View our 2014 Global IPO Annual Review 
