Hong Kong, India fuel blockbuster year for Asia fundraising

Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong's share-sale market has experienced a significant turnaround in 2023, becoming the leading fundraising hub in Asia, with share sales nearly quadrupling to over $73 billion, driven by strong demand from Chinese companies [1][2][3]. Group 1: Market Performance - Share sales in Hong Kong reached more than $73 billion through various methods, making it the top fundraising location in Asia for the first time since 2013, ranking just behind the US globally [2]. - The Hong Kong IPO pipeline is robust, with approximately 300 companies waiting to list, indicating a healthy market outlook [5]. - The Hang Seng Index has gained 29.5% this year, marking its best performance since 2017, although signs of weakness have emerged in the fourth quarter [11]. Group 2: Key Drivers - Chinese companies have been pivotal in driving the share-sale frenzy, with major listings such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. raising $5.3 billion, and both BYD Co. and Xiaomi Corp. raising over $5 billion each [3][8]. - The market has benefited from China's ambitions in artificial intelligence, biotechnology advancements, and efforts to boost domestic demand [8]. - Sectors aligned with China's strategic goals, such as technology and advanced manufacturing, are expected to remain active in pursuing IPOs [8]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Heavyweight candidates for future listings include companies like Syngenta Group and A.S. Watson Group, alongside potential listings from China's AI sector [9]. - The market's ability to absorb the upcoming supply of IPOs will depend on valuation and broader stock market performance [10]. - Despite the current optimism, there are concerns regarding the sustainability of high valuations, as many newly listed companies in India are trading below their debut prices [15].