S'pore is worst IPO performer in region, with only 1 listing

Malaysia is top IPO market in South-east Asia, listing 21 firms in first half of 2024

- Kang Wan Chern

Only one company braved a listing here in the first half of 2024, making Singapore the worst-performing market in South-east Asia for initial public offerings (IPO).

The dismal result came in spite of intensified efforts to revitalise the Singapore Exchange (SGX), which is falling behind its regional rivals.

The sole new listing was cancer treatment provider Singapore Institute of Advanced Medicine (SAM) Holdings, which raised just US$20 million ($27 million) from its February debut, the smallest amount raised from an IPO in the region this year, noted professional services firm Deloitte.

By comparison, Malaysia listed 21 companies, which raised around US$450 million in all, making it the region’s top IPO market in the first half of 2024.

This was followed by Thailand, where 17 companies went public and raised around US$427 million.

But the wider picture is less rosy as just 67 companies have gone to market in South-east Asia in the six months to June 30, compared with 85 in the same period in 2023, representing a 21 per cent drop.

These firms raised a total of US$1.4 billion, down 59 per cent from US$3.4 billion in the first half of 2023.