Faster growth in share prices likely to boost interest in new offerings

Chinese companies may moderately renew their enthusiasm for IPOs in the second quarter amid expectations that the economy is likely to rebound from April, analysts said.

According to data from Minsheng Securities Co Ltd, 25 Chinese companies launched IPOs in the A-share market in March, up from 17 in February, indicating a rebound in business financing requirements.

Analysts expect faster growth in share prices in the coming months and an improved outlook for corporate profits, which may boost boardroom confidence on raising more money in the mainland by selling new shares.

During the first three months, 49 companies listed on the A-share market, the same number as in the last quarter of 2011, which was the lowest since June 2009. The figure dropped from 64 in the July-to-September period, according to data from Wind Information Co Ltd, a Chinese financial information provider.

Newly listed companies in the first quarter raised a total of 34.5 billion yuan ($5.5 billion) from issuing 3.3 billion shares, compared with 42.2 billion yuan in the fourth quarter of last year and 68.7 billion yuan in the third quarter.

The gloomy situation in the IPO market reflects a deterioration in profits since the last three months of 2011, said Gao Ting, the chief China strategist with the UBS Securities Co Ltd.

In global IPO markets, Chinese companies also cut back on listings. By the end of March this year, a total of 66 companies had listed on the global stock market (including the Chinese market), nine less than in the last quarter of 2011, compared with 93 in the third quarter, according to ChinaVenture.com, a business information service website.

Chinese companies may moderately renew their enthusiasm for IPOs in the second quarter. Provided to China Daily