Australian capital markets activity set for growth in 2017
The aftershocks of Brexit and the US presidential election caused some delays to global capital market activity last year but Australia remained resilient.
A new report from
Herbert Smith Freehills highlights strong IPO activity in Australia in 2016 with 100 new listings on the ASX raising more than $8 billion and this year is set for continued growth.
“2017 looks to be another positive year for Australia’s capital markets, with a number of high quality IPOs expected to come to market from both corporate and private equity vendors,” said Philippa Stone, HSF partner and global co-head of capital markets.
“We hope that a number of IPOs slated for the first half of the year should give confidence to investors and drive continued activity,” said Stone, who also expects that some IPOs delayed in 2016 will proceed this year.
The largest ASX listing in 2016 was Reliance Worldwide Corporation, which raised A$919 million for a market capitalisation of A$1.3 billion.
New firm named top law firm brand in the US
Jones Day has been named the top law firm brand in the US by analysts at Acritas.
The 2017 US Law Firm Brand Index has been led for the past five years by Skadden, which slips to second place.
Baker McKenzie is third, Latham & Watkins is fourth, and
DLA Piper and
Hogan Lovells share fifth place.
“Jones Day hit all the high marks in the areas it matters most – they can offer clients breadth and international reach alongside a consistent performance in terms of quality and service,” said Lizzy Duffy, Vice President of Acritas US, Inc. “The firm has been narrowing the gap between first and second place for several years, and this year their efforts really resonated with clients and others in the industry.”
Among the fastest movers, Ropes & Gray jumped 26 places to 13th while
Dentons leapt to 18th place from last year’s 30.
Hong Kong Stock Exchange appoints general counsel
Ferheen Mahomed has been appointed group general counsel at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The former GC at CLSA and Societe Generale in Asia Pacific, is a qualified lawyer in Hong Kong and England & Wales and has worked in private practice at Slaughter & May.
She joins Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. from Pacific Century Group where she was executive vice-president of business development.
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