IPOcalypse now
Optimism about the revival of the IPO market is building in the US, but the mood is much more dreary in Australia where few listings are planned for this year.
Australia might be trying its best to manifest a resurgent IPO pipeline, but those at the coalface say it’s a pipedream at best.
So poor is the current showing that few are even trying to put a positive spin on what’s coming, which after a few tough years looks more like a trickle than a flood.
A “very difficult” 12 months is expected to continue until at least the second half of the year amid challenging economic conditions and high interest rates, according to accountancy firm HLB Mann Judd.
Corporate and audit services partner Marcus Ohm says conversations with clients indicate many are deferring plans to list, making it impossible to predict when we might see green shoots emerge.
