2019 was lackluster year for IPO activity with deals and proceeds down overall Technology sector dominates with 263 IPOs raising US$62.8b in 2019 2020 expected to see more robust IPO activity, particularly in the first half of the year Geopolitical uncertainty and trade tensions heavily impacted the 2019 IPO landscape, pushing overall IPO activity down in terms of deals and proceeds. 2019 has registered 1,115 IPOs with proceeds of US$198b – a 19% fall in deal volume and a 4% decrease in proceeds compared with 2018. However, as US-China-EU trade tensions, concerns about economic growth and other geopolitical issues – including Brexit and social unrest in Hong Kong – subside, a healthy increase in IPO activity is expected in 2020, particularly in the first half of the year, as markets are expected to become more volatile leading up to the US Presidential elections.

Weak economic indicators, uncertainty surrounding Brexit and growing protectionism in global trade have contributed to a shift in sentiment in the M&A community and the beginning of a downturn in dealmaking activity, according to the seventh edition of the European M&A Outlook, published by CMS in association with Mergermarket.  

The FM Global Resilience Index, adding a new driver, corporate governance this year, ranks 130 countries and territories by the resilience of their business environments. Czechia reached top quartile in each factor assessed (Economic, Risk Quality, Supply Chain).