Equity capital markets in 2020: gaining momentum

As we look forward to the rest of the year and 2021, we see a robust blend of: IPOs; documented and undocumented secondary offerings; recapitalisations and restructurings as companies seek to shore up their balance sheets; spin offs, acquisitions and disposals as companies re-strategize and/or take advantage of opportunities; and a wider use of alternative capital raising structures, such as SPACS. We also anticipate an increase in the number of public to private transactions, proactive investor engagement, and a greater focus on ESG.

A&O has maintained its leading position in the market, particularly in many of the most complex and high profile ECM transactions to date, including JDE Peets, RollsRoyce, Allegro and China Yangtze Power. We are a Tier 1 ECM practice, combining our local ECM expertise in all key EMEA markets with a leading U.S. Securities team, boosted by market leading corporate, finance and regulatory and compliance practices, and supported by sector expertise.