Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) welcomed 94 new listings to its Nordic markets in 2016, including both large cap IPOs and a particularly strong inflow of small and medium sized companies (SMEs). The activity level is similar to what Nasdaq experienced during the record year of 2015.
Adam Kostyál
Adam Kostyál, senior vice president and head of European listings, Nasdaq, commented:
At a time when IPO markets globally have been slow, Nasdaq Nordic has maintained its position as the leading hub for new listings across Europe. We have spent several years working with key stakeholders to further improve the Nordic IPO climate, and the current activity level confirms that the model we have created together works.
Nasdaq’s growth market, Nasdaq First North, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016 by welcoming 63 new Nordic and international growth companies, of which 10 listed in the Nasdaq First North Premier Segment. Together, the Nasdaq First North listings raised 610 million EUR in 2016.
What makes the Nordic region unique in an international perspective is our ability to help SMEs raise capital in the public market,” added Adam Kostyál. “It has been particularly exciting to see an increased interest and activity level from non-traditional sectors this year, including tech, gaming and biotech. Providing entrepreneurs with better access to the capital markets was the very reason for launching Nasdaq First North in 2006.
31 new listings took place on the main market, including 7 transfers from First North. The largest IPO was DONG Energy (capital raised: 2.3 billion EUR), followed by Nets (2.1 billion EUR) and Ahlsell (0.6 billion EUR). All three are included in the Top 10 list of the largest IPOs ever at Nasdaq Nordic.
2016 Nasdaq Nordic Listings highlights:
| Main Market | First North | |
| Total New Listings | 31 | 63 |
| Initial Public Offerings | 19 | 42 |
| Switches from First North | 7 | – |
| Capital Raised (Bn EUR) | 7.2 | 0.6 |
| Largest IPOs (capital raised, million EUR) | DONG Energy: 2 302 Nets: 2 113 Ahlsell: 610 |
LeoVegas: 99 Catena Media Plc: 89 Paradox Interactive: 58 |
| Sectors with most listings | Financials Health Care Industrials |
Health Care Industrials Technology |
2016 Nasdaq Stockholm Listings Highlights:
| Main Market | First North | |
| Total New Listings | 21 | 54 |
| Initial Public Offerings | 12 | 38 |
| Switches from First North | 5 | – |
| Capital Raised (Bn SEK) | 15.4 | 5.5 |
| Largest IPOs (capital raised, million SEK) | Ahlsell: 6 021 Resurs Holding: 3 571 Nordic Waterproofing: 1 026 |
LeoVegas: 910 Catena Media Plc: 849 Paradox Interactive: 539 |
| Sectors with most listings | Financials Health Care Industrials |
Health Care Industrials Technology |