A Bloomberg report revealed a decline in the number of major companies choosing to list on European stock exchanges, intensifying competition among the region's exchanges to win the largest initial public offerings.
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A Bloomberg report revealed a decline in the number of major companies choosing to list on European stock exchanges, intensifying competition among the region's exchanges to win the largest initial public offerings. According to Bloomberg, European exchanges in Stockholm and Amsterdam, as well as Zurich and London, recently competed to host the IPO of "Verisure," majority-owned by "Hellman & Friedman." The Swedish exchange won the offering due to the security company's history, valued at 20 billion euros ($22.8 billion), in the country, and the strength of the local investor community. European Struggle Competition has already begun for the next major IPO. People who requested anonymity due to the privacy of the information said that Amsterdam and London are among the exchanges competing to host the IPO for software giant "Visma," expected early next year. Europe's fragmented exchanges and relatively low-priced traded stocks are taking longer to recover from a years-long drought in public offerings compared to other regions. According to data compiled by "Bloomberg," Europe has so far this year accounted for only 8% of global issuances, compared to an annual average of 16% over the past decade. The continent has seen a relatively small number of large offerings in recent years. The largest offering in 2025 so far raised just under $1 billion on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Weak trading volumes, in addition to a series of leading local companies choosing to list in the United States, have raised the stakes for regional exchanges, which are now forced to look outside their local markets for new offerings in an effort to offset outflows and revive capital market activity. Stockholm in the Lead The Scandinavian region has been a relative winner in recent months. Stockholm topped European capitals in terms of current public activity, with the value of public offerings exceeding $1.6 billion. Some European companies have also turned to the United States in search of better liquidity and higher valuations. For example, British company "Arm Holdings Plc" went public in New York two years ago in a deal worth more than $5 billion. Meanwhile, Swedish "buy now, pay later" giant "Klarna Group Plc" has applied for a potential listing in the United States. London Stock Exchange The London Stock Exchange has been particularly hard hit as a result of a wave of acquisitions and a number of high-profile shifts to other exchanges. Recently, "Wise Plc" announced plans to move its primary listing to New York. Charlie Walker, Executive Vice President of the London Stock Exchange, said in emailed responses that the exchange has "seen a marked increase in interest from international companies in listing in London," without making further comment. Walker called on the British government, in an interview with the "BBC" last week, to encourage domestic investment in order to improve liquidity in public markets.
