KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia stood out in South-East Asia’s initial public offering (IPO) market in the first nine months of 2026, accounting for 38 of the 56 listings recorded across the region, according to Ernst & Young (EY).
The 38 IPOs raised US$1.62bil (RM6.56bil), compared with US$992mil raised through 37 listings in the corresponding period last year, stated EY in a factsheet yesterday.
In the third quarter of 2026 (3Q26), Malaysia recorded nine IPOs raising US$167.2mil, compared with eight IPOs that raised US$94mil in the same quarter last year.
Among other South-East Asian markets, Singapore recorded eight IPOs raising US$1.28bil, followed by Indonesia with seven IPOs raising US$121.3mil and Thailand with three IPOs raising US$21.3mil.
South-East Asia recorded 56 IPOs raising US$3bil in the first nine months of 2026, a decline of 26% in volume and 13% in value year-on-year.
In 3Q26, 20 IPOs raised US$500mil, compared with 26 IPOs that raised US$2.1bil over the same period in 2025.
EY Capital Markets representative Nghia Trung Nguyen said Malaysia exceeded both the number of listings and proceeds recorded over the same period last year.
“The stronger proceeds are encouraging and point to continued investor appetite for quality companies with compelling growth prospects.
“This momentum also reflects the role of the capital market in supporting companies as they pursue their next phase of growth, providing access to capital while broadening their investor base and market profile,” he said in a statement.
Nghia said issuers needed to be well-prepared and realistic about market timing and investor expectations amid an uncertain global environment, as investors became increasingly selective.
He added that a compelling business proposition, supported by strong fundamentals, good governance and a clear growth strategy, remained crucial to securing a successful listing and sustaining investor confidence beyond the IPO. —Bernama
