LONDON: London will enjoy a very strong year for stock market flotations, analysts say, arguing that both Brexit and coronavirus offer firms a unique opportunity to expand.
Various big-name businesses that have seen booming online demand from home-bound customers during Covid-19 lockdowns have revealed eye-catching plans for initial public offerings (IPOs) in recent weeks.
Clarity over Britain’s final departure from the European Union on January 1 acted as a catalyst for many companies to raise funds, according to specialists, while the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines also soothed investor concerns over the deadly pandemic.
So far this year, the celebrated shoemaker Dr. Martens, app-driven meals delivery service Deliveroo and online greetings card seller Moonpig have all outlined plans.
“Looking to the year ahead, we can expect 2021 to be a very strong year for the UK IPO market,” said Scott McCubbin at London-based financial services giant EY.
“An uptick in IPO activity may well intensify the competition for investment, placing greater emphasis on preparing early for IPO and raising profile with investors.
“Confidence continues to build with the Brexit deal now giving clarity around the future relationship with Europe and the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations.”
Added to the mix, online money transfer specialist TransferWise has reportedly appointed banks to coordinate a planned float.
British media report that others could include insurer Canopius, EDF-owned electric vehicle charging business Pod Point, and online fashion retailer Very.
The IPO market has also attracted interest in recent years due to the easier availability of financing, alongside ultra-low interest rates.
“Over the past few years we have also seen a strengthening in the financing available for UK and European companies in the early stages of their growth,” said Marcus Stuttard, head of UK primary markets at the London Stock Exchange.
“This means that there are now an increasing number of dynamic businesses at the stage and size of development that are ideal for an IPO.
“These factors coming together have contributed to the strong IPO pipeline we are seeing at the start of 2021,” he told AFP.
At the same time, investors have lots of cash, owing to low borrowing costs and several billion pounds worth of central bank stimulus funds.
London thus hopes to steal a march on rival IPO destinations such as Frankfurt, Hong Kong and New York.
Britain ranked only behind China and the United States in terms of the total amount of cash raised on the stock market last year, according to a recent EY study.
The British capital represented more than 40 percent of the total IPO amounts raised in Europe.
Brexit could deliver a further boost because the government wants to relax certain stock exchange regulations as it seeks to attract more big-name businesses to list.
The Brexit trade deal, which took effect on January 1, did not encompass the finance sector — but Britain and the EU aim to seal a memorandum of understanding about financial services by March.
The City of London Corporation revealed Friday in a study that the British capital still trails the United States and Hong Kong in attracting foreign company listings.
London now wants to compete more effectively against European rivals and EU officials are concerned it could dump highly-prized standards.
Catherine McGuiness, policy chair at the City of London Corporation, said: “The competitive strengths of London and the UK should mean that we are well placed to seize opportunities as we start a new trading chapter outside the European Union.”
London stock market facing blockbuster IPO year
London stock market facing blockbuster IPO year
- So far this year, the shoemaker Dr. Martens, app-driven meals delivery service Deliveroo and online greetings card seller Moonpig have all outlined plans
- The IPO market has also attracted interest in recent years due to the easier availability of financing
IMF approves $2.3bn for Egypt amid recovery, as lender reengages with Syria’s resurgent economy
RIYADH: The International Monetary Fund has approved the disbursement of $2.3 billion to Egypt following the completion of combined reviews under its Extended Fund Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Facility.
The lender announced on Feb. 25 that the funds, comprising about $2 billion under the EFF and $273 million under the RSF, will support the country’s ongoing stabilization efforts.
The approval extends Egypt’s 46-month EFF arrangement to Dec. 15, and brings total disbursements under the program to roughly $5.2 billion.
The move will bolster the engine of the Arab world’s third-largest economy. With a population exceeding 112 million and a nominal gross domestic product of roughly $400 billion, Egypt’s economic stability is crucial for the region.
The country’s consumer market and strategic position, anchored by the Suez Canal, make its fiscal health a leader for emerging markets in the Middle East and North Africa.
According to the IMF, Egypt’s macroeconomic landscape has shown marked improvement as policy measures take hold.
Real GDP growth accelerated to 4.4 percent in fiscal year 2024-2025, driven by a broad-based recovery. Inflation has cooled significantly to 11.9 percent as of January, supported by tight monetary and fiscal policies.
Nigel Clarke, IMF deputy managing director and chair, said: “The authorities’ stabilization measures continue to take effect. However, further progress on deeper reforms, particularly in divestment in non-strategic sectors and debt management, is needed to reduce risks to attaining key program objectives.”
The external position has also strengthened considerably. The current account deficit narrowed to 4.2 percent of GDP, buoyed by robust remittances and tourism revenues.
Market confidence has rebounded, evidenced by successful international bond issuances, foreign direct investment inflows, and record non-resident investments in domestic debt markets.
This has helped swell gross international reserves to approximately $59.2 billion as of December, up from $54.9 billion a year earlier.
The IMF noted that progress on deeper structural reforms has been “uneven.” While macroeconomic stability has improved, efforts to reduce the state’s economic footprint, particularly regarding the divestment of state-owned assets, have lagged behind targets.
Clarke emphasized the need for sustained domestic revenue mobilization, maintaining exchange rate flexibility, and decisive efforts to reduce state dominance to crowd in private investment and secure durable, inclusive growth.
Separately, the Washington-based lender said Syria’s economy is “continuing to recover” following a staff visit to Damascus, signaling deeper engagement with the country.
An IMF team led by Ron van Rooden visited the Syrian capital from Feb. 15 to 19 to assess the economic situation and discuss reform priorities. It was the latest in a series of intensive engagements as Syria reintegrates regionally following years of isolation.
“Activity has picked up further in recent months, supported by improved consumer and investor sentiment, the continuing return of refugees, increased electricity provision and rainfall, and Syria’s steady regional reintegration,” Rooden said in a statement.
Preliminary data indicate the central government budget ended 2025 with a small surplus, a feat attributed to prudent spending and the Ministry of Finance refraining from central bank financing, a significant shift from previous years.
Inflation has slowed to the “low double digits” by the end of 2025, supported by a tight monetary stance.
The IMF said that Syria has prepared a 2026 budget aimed at increasing spending on healthcare, education, and infrastructure rehabilitation. It stressed that while revenue targets are ambitious, the budget includes safeguards should financing fall short.
The fund agreed to an extensive technical assistance program to support Syria’s economic rehabilitation. This includes capacity building in public financial management, revenue mobilization, and banking sector supervision.
The IMF noted that improving statistics and economic governance could help “pave the way for the resumption of Article IV consultations with Syria,” the Fund’s regular health check of member economies, which have been suspended for years.
IMF staff will continue to work together with multilateral, regional, and bilateral donors to support the authorities’ capacity building efforts, Rooden added.
