Consumer IPOs a relief but reversing delisting trend will be no cakewalk

ONE swallow does not a summer make. But eating does happen to be at the core of two rather recent initial public offerings (IPOs) that could potentially signify a welcome waning or even reversal of a spate of delistings in recent times in Singapore consumer-sector stocks.

Instant beverage mix maker Viz Branz on Tuesday lodged its preliminary prospectus for a mainboard debut, and is reportedly seeking to raise at least S$700 million according to a Bloomberg report that cited sources. The lodgement came shortly after local coffeeshop operator Kimly launched its Catalist IPO to raise some S$40.4 million.

Notably, Viz Branz's IPO constitutes a relisting after having gone private in 2013. If its relisting is successful, that could give some hope to market watchers who fear the Singapore Exchange's consumer sector may be hollowing out.