Here are the 10 biggest Asian IPOs to watch out for in 2023

WHILE a global revival in initial public offerings (IPOs) might be far off, at least 10 Asian companies are working on listings that each could raise US$1 billion or more in the coming year.

China’s onshore market hosted nine stock listings of that size or larger this year, more than any other in 2022, while they almost entirely vanished from venues such as Hong Kong, Seoul and Mumbai.

Here are 10 Asia-based firms in sectors ranging from insurance to chemicals and electric vehicles seeking listings that could stand out.

Ant Group

A comeback of Jack Ma’s Ant Group listing would potentially be the most high-profile IPO globally. Analysts said a fine on the group last month could mark the end of Beijing’s probe into the fintech firm and a first step to restarting its IPO process.

Syngenta Group

The seed and fertiliser giant owned by China National Chemical was expected to launch a potential 65 billion yuan (S$12.6 billion) IPO in 2022. If it comes to market that big, it could be one of the world’s largest deals next year.

Amer Sports

Anta Sports Products, China’s biggest athletic-apparel producer, and co-investors in Amer Sports are holding preliminary talks with investment banks for an IPO of the company that could raise about US$1 billion or more. The Wilson tennis racket maker’s debut venue is not yet decided.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

FWD Group Holdings

The Asian insurer backed by billionaire Richard Li is weighing next year as a new target for its long-awaited Hong Kong debut that could raise about US$1 billion as soon as the first quarter.  

SCG Chemicals

The unit of Bangkok-listed Siam Cement has been working on an IPO that was initially targeting at least US$2 billion. The parent company said in October that it would consider an appropriate time for the deal in 2023.

Cinema XXI

PT Nusantara Sejahtera Raya, the operator of Indonesia’s largest movie theatre chain Cinema XXI, is eyeing an offering in Jakarta that could raise as much as US$1.1 billion.

VinFast

The electric-car maker backed by Vietnam’s richest man filed this month for an IPO in the US just as it prepared to deliver its first Sports Utility Vehicles to California customers. The unit of conglomerate Vingroup, founded by Pham Nhat Vuong, could raise at least US$1 billion as soon as January.

Oyo Hotels

The once high-flying Indian startup for hotel bookings filed fresh documents in September, targeting an early 2023 offering if market and economic conditions allow.

Rakuten Bank

Bloomberg reported in September that the banking arm of the Japanese online retailer Rakuten Group had selected banks for a listing in Tokyo. Assuming a sale of a 35 per cent stake, Rakuten could raise up to 140 billion yen (S$1.4 billion), said Bloomberg Intelligence.  

Longi Green Energy Technology

The Shanghai-listed solar power equipment firm picked banks for a sale of global depository receipts in Switzerland, which could be as large as US$4 billion, in the first half of 2023. BLOOMBERG