Stockholm, December 29, 2016 — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) welcomed 94 new listings to its Nordic markets* in 2016, including both large cap IPOs and a particularly strong inflow of small and medium sized companies (SMEs). The activity level is similar to what Nasdaq experienced during the record year of 2015.
“At a time when IPO markets globally have been slow, Nasdaq Nordic has maintained its position as the leading hub for new listings across Europe,” said Adam Kostyál, senior vice president and head of European listings, Nasdaq. “We have spent several years working with key stakeholders to further improve the Nordic IPO climate, and the current activity level confirms that the model we have created together works.”
Nasdaq’s growth market, Nasdaq First North, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016 by welcoming 63 new Nordic and international growth companies, of which 10 listed in the Nasdaq First North Premier Segment. Together, the Nasdaq First North listings raised 610 million EUR in 2016.
“What makes the Nordic region unique in an international perspective is our ability to help SMEs raise capital in the public market,” said Adam Kostyál. “It has been particularly exciting to see an increased interest and activity level from non-traditional sectors this year, including tech, gaming and biotech. Providing entrepreneurs with better access to the capital markets was the very reason for launching Nasdaq First North in 2006.”
31 new listings took place on the main market, including 7 transfers from First North. The largest IPO was DONG Energy (capital raised: 2.3 billion EUR), followed by Nets (2.1 billion EUR) and Ahlsell (0.6 billion EUR). All three are included in the Top 10 list of the largest IPOs ever at Nasdaq Nordic.
2016 Nasdaq Nordic Listings highlights
| Main Market | First North | |
| Total New Listings | 31 | 63 |
| Initial Public Offerings | 19 | 42 |
| Switches from First North | 7 | - |
| Capital Raised (Bn EUR) | 7.2 | 0.6 |
| Largest IPOs (capital raised, million EUR) | DONG Energy: 2 302 Nets: 2 113 Ahlsell: 610 | LeoVegas: 99 Catena Media Plc: 89 Paradox Interactive: 58 |
| Sectors with most listings | Financials Health Care Industrials | Health Care Industrials Technology |
2016 Nasdaq Stockholm Listings Highlights
| Main Market | First North | |
| Total New Listings | 21 | 54 |
| Initial Public Offerings | 12 | 38 |
| Switches from First North | 5 | - |
| Capital Raised (Bn SEK) | 15.4 | 5.5 |
| Largest IPOs (capital raised, million SEK) | Ahlsell: 6 021 Resurs Holding: 3 571 Nordic Waterproofing: 1 026 | LeoVegas: 910 Catena Media Plc: 849 Paradox Interactive: 539 |
| Sectors with most listings | Financials Health Care Industrials | Health Care Industrials Technology |
*Main markets and Nasdaq First North at Nasdaq Copenhagen, Nasdaq Helsinki, Nasdaq Iceland and Nasdaq Stockholm.
About Nasdaq First North Nasdaq First North is regulated as a multilateral trading facility, operated by the different exchanges within Nasdaq Nordic (Nasdaq First North Denmark is regulated as an alternative marketplace). It does not have the legal status as an EU-regulated market. Companies at Nasdaq First North are subject to the rules of Nasdaq First North and not the legal requirements for admission to trading on a regulated market. The risk in such an investment may be higher than on the main market.
About Nasdaq
Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, Nasdaq enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 70 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. Nasdaq is home to more than 3,700 listed companies with a market value of $10.0 trillion and approximately 18,000 corporate clients. To learn more, visit: nasdaq.com/ambition or business.nasdaq.com
Nasdaq Copenhagen, Nasdaq Helsinki, Nasdaq Iceland, Nasdaq Riga, Nasdaq Stockholm, Nasdaq Tallinn, Nasdaq Vilnius, Nasdaq Clearing and Nasdaq Broker Services are respectively brand names for the regulated markets of Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S, Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd., Nasdaq Iceland hf., Nasdaq Riga, AS, Nasdaq Stockholm AB, Nasdaq Tallinn AS, AB Nasdaq Vilnius, Nasdaq Clearing AB and Nasdaq Broker Services AB. Nasdaq Nordic represents the common offering by Nasdaq Copenhagen, Nasdaq Helsinki, Nasdaq Iceland and Nasdaq Stockholm. Nasdaq Baltic represents the common offering by Nasdaq Tallinn, Nasdaq Riga and Nasdaq Vilnius.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Nasdaq and its products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq's control. These factors include, but are not limited to factors detailed in Nasdaq's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements.
| Media Relations Contact: Erik Granström +46 8 405 78 07 erik.granstrom@nasdaq.com |
