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MENA IPOs raise US$843.9 Mn in 2011: Ernst & Young

Four IPOs raise US$226.1 Mn in Q4 2011

Globally, 2011 saw the largest PE-backed IPO ever; 72% of global capital was raised in H1

Dubai, 03 January 2012: According to Ernst & Young’s year-end MENA IPO update, regional capital markets raised US$843.9 Mn in 2011 as compared to US$2.8 Bn in 2010, a decline of 69.3%. The year closed with IPO funds worth US$226.1 Mn being raised in the fourth quarter, a decline of 83.5% from US$1.4 Bn raised in Q4’10.

Commenting on the overall performance of the capital markets in 2011, Phil Gandier, MENA Head of Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young, says: “Companies chose other fundraising routes over IPOs in 2011, which was another year of low capital market activity. Low investor interest continued in the MENA region as companies chose Islamic funding such as Sukuk, which saw a record year, as the preferred route for fundraising.”

He added: “Investors and issuers in the region remain concerned over the volatility of capital markets and this will likely continue in the next quarter. However, the number of announced IPOs continues to grow across the region. The moment economic conditions and investor sentiment improves, we could see a flood of IPOs in the regional bourses.”

Four IPOs in Q4’11

United Electronic Company in Saudi Arabia was the largest IPO in Q4’11 with US$105.6 Mn, followed by SMN Power Holding in Oman with US$63.9 Mn, Saudi Enaya Cooperative Insurance Company in Saudi Arabia with US$42.7 Mn and Jet ALU MAROC in Morocco with US$13.9 Mn.

Regional IPO performance in 2011

The largest IPO of 2011 in MENA was UAE’s Eshraq Properties Company (US$229.1 Mn) followed by Saudi Arabia’s Hail Cement Company (US$130.5 Mn) and the United Electronic Company (US$105.6 Mn).

Saudi Arabia led the country standings in 2011, raising US$460.5 Mn through IPOs in 2011, followed by the UAE with US$271.3 Mn and Oman with US$63.9 Mn. Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Syria were the only other MENA countries with IPO activity in 2011.

In all of 2011, five IPOs each were seen in both the Industrial Manufacturing and Financial sectors, two in the Telecommunications sector and one IPO each in the Power and Utilities, Real Estate and Retail sectors.

Global IPO fundraising down 45% in 2011, 72% of global capital was raised in H1

After a promising start in the first two quarters, IPO activity dropped dramatically midway through the year, principally due to investors concerns about sovereign debt issues in Europe and Standard & Poor’s downgrade of US credit rating. Year-to-date, the capital raised globally is down by 45%, with US$155.8 Bn, and number of deals is also down by 20% (1117 IPOs), compared to full year 2010. Seventy-two percent of global capital was raised in the first 6 months of the year. However, 2011 fundraising activity still exceeded 2009 by more than US$40 Bn, according to Ernst & Young’s year-end Global IPO update.

Maria Pinelli, Global Vice Chair, Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young, says: “The uncertainty around a resolution to the Eurozone debt crisis and its impact on the global economy has left investors and issuers with a lack of confidence.”

Asian flotations down 56% by value

Asian exchanges completed 543 deals in the first 11 months of the year raising US$77.7b, a 56% drop in capital raised compared to full year 2010 (US$177.6b). The largest IPO on Asian exchanges this year was the US$5.5b listing of Hutchison Port Holdings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx), followed by Italian fashion house Prada SpA, for US$2.5b on HKEx.

Global IPOs by regions

IPO activity on US exchanges held up relatively well with a modest 16% drop in capital raised, from US$43.5b via 163 deals in 2010 to US$36.4b in 114 IPOs. IPOs on European exchanges accounted for 19% of capital raised and US$29.6b in value via 251 IPOs. This compares with 13% of total capital raised last year, with 252 IPOs raising US$36.7b. Deal value and activity has also fallen for Central and South American issuers (US$8.6b and 27 IPOs) with no IPOs recorded in Q4’11.

Largest ever PE-backed IPOs

2011 saw the largest PE-backed IPO ever with the US$4.3b IPO of the America’s largest hospital chain operator, HCA Holdings Inc in March on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Globally, PE-backed IPOs companies exited 168 companies, raising around US$37b. Seventy companies raised US$31.4b in the first six months of 2011, putting the industry on pace for its best year on record. Despite the challenging environment, pricing generally improved for PE-backed deals compared to 2010, resulting primarily from a number of large deals that took advantage of the wide-open window in the first quarter of the year. Overall, PE-backed deals have accounted for 24% of the global proceeds raised in 2011, the highest percentage on record.

Jeff Bunder, Global Private Equity Leader at Ernst & Young says: “Moving into 2012, the outlook remains heavily dependent upon stabilization in Europe, accelerated growth in the US and improved investor confidence in Asia. With PE portfolio aging rapidly, sponsors are looking closely for any indication that the IPO window is reopening.” Currently, there are more than 95 companies registered to go public, which in aggregate could raise more than US$20b. “In a new normal, where volatility in public equities markets and in the global economy are constant and expected, PE firms have become more nimble and are prepared for when the IPO window opens next,” concludes Bunder.

Moving into 2012

“The key to the IPO market recovery lies in the speedy resolution of the European debt crisis, which is likely to have a stabilizing effect on the global capital market and restore investors’ confidence. Many fast growing companies will continue to look at IPOs as a way of raising capital and remain at the heart of their growth strategies,” concludes Maria.

-Ends-

About Ernst & Young’s IPO offering
Ernst & Young thrives on helping companies to deliver successful initial public offerings (IPOs). Our strategic growth markets professionals, who are dedicated to serving future market leaders worldwide, help businesses like yours evaluate the pros and cons of an IPO. We demystify the process, examine the alternatives and help prepare you for life in the public spotlight. On average, we help a company go public every business day of the year. Our market-based insights and landmark IPO retreats, held in every major market worldwide, can help your business achieve its potential. It’s how Ernst & Young makes a difference.

About Ernst & Young Middle East
The MENA practice of Ernst & Young has been operating in the region since 1923. For over 87 years, we have evolved to meet the legal and commercial developments of the region. Across the Middle East, we have over 4,200 people united across 20 offices and 15 Arab countries, sharing the same values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com/mena

About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com

Contact name: Lamice Murshid
Company: Ernst & Young
Tel: +971 4 332 4000
E-mail:lamice.murshid@ae.ey.com

Contact name: Sandeep Sharma
Company: Weber Shandwick MENA
Tel: +971 4 321 0077
E-mail: sandeep.sharma@ws-mena.com

© Press Release 2012