Ernst & Young report shows a surge in the IPO pipeline

New registrants in the IPO pipeline reach levels not seen since Q3 2008
NEW YORK – The IPO pipeline increased to 34 registrants seeking to raise $10.9 billion as of September 30, 2009, up from 28 registrants seeking to raise $7.6 billion at the end of Q2 (June 30, 2009), according to the quarterly Ernst & Young LLP US IPO Pipeline study.
This increase reflects tremendous activity throughout the quarter, including 30 new registrants, 14 companies that went public (including some of the new registrants) and 15 companies that passed the one-year expiration for inclusion in the study. Comparatively, the previous quarter included eight new registrants and 10 companies that went public.
Three additional companies that went public had passed the year mark and were no longer included in the pipeline: A123 Systems Inc, Select Medical Holdings Corp and long-time registrant Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc (which originally filed in 2007). One registrant withdrew from the pipeline and one, Cloud Peak Energy Inc, re-registered at a lower level of capital.
“Patience and preparation are paying off. This rebound of activity rivals the number of new registrations a year ago, which gives the total pipeline a bounce even as many companies go public,” says Maria Pinelli, Americas Director, Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young LLP.  “China-based companies are attracted to this market. Five new registrants from China replaced five companies from China that went public, building on a recent pattern of activity by companies from the area.”
New registrants represent larger deals than those seen in over a year.  They totalled $11.353 billion of capital to raise (an average of $378.8 million per company). Most significantly, JBS USA Holdings Inc seeks to raise $2.0 billion.  Another billion-dollar new entrant, Shanda Games Ltd., registered and went public in the third quarter.
 Year over year IPO Pipeline comparison:

 “The $10.9 billion in the pipeline certainly trumps last quarter’s total of $7.6 billion, and the resurgence of substantial deals will continue to drive pipeline growth,” says Jackie Kelley, Americas IPO Leader, Ernst & Young LLP.  “What we don’t see in these numbers today but can expect to see in the future is a number of mid-sized companies, many backed by private equity and venture capital firms.  These companies are taking steps today to enter the pipeline in the next few months.”
Technology companies lead the pipeline in the third quarter in deals, if not dollars. Tech’s six registrants – all newly filed in August and September – represent $862 million. Oil and gas operations followed with four deals representing $1.77 billion. This quarter, retail and wholesale leaped over other industries with three deals that represent $2.85 billion. Most industry categories showed at least one new registrant, while construction, provider care, professional firms and services, and diversified industrial products each gained two. 
Regionally, the level of activity from Greater China almost met the level of activity in the leading US regional markets, but not their dollar size. The four new registrations from Greater China that remain in the pipeline sought to raise $363 million, compared to five deals for the Pacific Northwest ($635 million), four deals in the Pacific Southwest ($3.3 billion), five deals in the Southeast ($1.7 billion) and three deals in the Southwest ($1.4 billion). California is home to five registrants, followed by Texas with four, and Illinois and Florida with three each.
The Ernst & Young LLP U.S. IPO Pipeline Report is issued quarterly as a forward-looking indicator of the IPO market.  The IPO Pipeline data is refined to eliminate bias from financial services organizations, real estate investment trusts and other holding companies that represent assets under management instead of core businesses.  It also eliminates any registrants sitting on the books for more than 12 months – long-term applicants that may bloat numbers, but don’t reflect current market trends.