Despite a rebound in fundraising and block trading activity, year-to-date IPO volumes came in at their lowest level since 2019. Equity capital markets (ECM) advisers, however, are optimistic of a recovery in listing activity in the latter part of the year. In the United States, IPO volumes jumped more than 50% from the fourth quarter of 2022, but were still 11% down from the same period last year. IPOs briefly flickered back to life in February, as companies including solar tech firm Nextracker (NXT.O) and Chinese sensor maker Hesai Group (HSAI.O) pushed ahead with their listings. RECOVERY DELAYEDIn Europe, investment bankers said the market volatility spurred by the banking crisis is likely to affect the pipeline of deals.

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