Biz Nasdaq parent wants more Chinese floats 2010-Mar-4 10:41:21
BEIJING: Nasdaq OMX Group Inc, the parent of the Nasdaq Stock Market, expects more initial public offerings (IPO) by Chinese companies this year after the US IPO market rebounds in the second quarter, a senior executive told China Daily on Wednesday.
"Although the market has been choppy in the US over the past two months, there is a huge pipeline of companies in China that are keen on Nasdaq floats this year," said Robert McCooey Jr, senior vice-president for new listings and capital markets of Nasdaq.
McCooey made the remarks in an interview on the sidelines of a conference in Beijing, attended by more than 250 participants including representatives from investment banks and Chinese companies that are keen on US-based IPOs.
The US IPO market will recover in the second quarter of the year as the overall situation stabilizes and Washington's fiscal policy and financial regulations become clearer, he said.
Over 33 Chinese companies listed on the Nasdaq in 2009, including nine IPOs, bringing the total to date to 124. The listing of China's largest online game operator Shanda Games in 2009 was one of the largest US IPOs ever, raising a total of $1.04 billion.
China's monetary policy tightening will not have any major impact on Chinese IPOs, but it may affect the valuation of the companies that intend to list over the next two or three years, said McCooey. Nasdaq is keen on welcoming Chinese companies who have global aspirations and who want to list on the US markets, he said, adding that there will also be opportunities for dual listing of Chinese companies that are already listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
The New York-based bourse is also keen on being part of the first batch of overseas companies that would be listed on China's A-share market after the international board debuts in Shanghai this year.
McCooey said Nasdaq would continue its discussions with the Shanghai Stock Exchange on the listing, adding the two sides are yet to reach a final agreement.
A number of overseas companies, including global banking giant HSBC and NYSE Euronext, the parent of the New York Stock Exchange, have expressed interest in listing on Shanghai's international board.
"Although the market has been choppy in the US over the past two months, there is a huge pipeline of companies in China that are keen on Nasdaq floats this year," said Robert McCooey Jr, senior vice-president for new listings and capital markets of Nasdaq. 
