Malaysia, Indonesia to battle for IPO supremacy in 2025 as signs point to Asean market comeback

With the new year's welcoming environment of lower interest rates and a boost in economic growth, industry observers believe that ASEAN's economic IPO market is expected to improve.

Our Managing Partner & Head of Audit & Assurance APAC, Rick Chan, shared his observations about Indonesia and Malaysia over the past year in this Business Times article by Megan Cheah. Taking a closer look at Indonesia, he said that Indonesia's IPO market was hit by market volatility and economic headwinds, and was particularly affected by the pause which took place during its general elections.

Malaysia, on the other hand, saw a surge in its IPO market due to sectoral diversity and a "supportive regulatory environment” backed by an ecosystem of investors including government agencies, which boosted the performance of shares of the companies after they were listed, placing them in the lead in 2024, he commented.

"With the focus on emerging trends such as sustainability, technological innovation, and consumer-driven industries – and implementing targeted reforms, ASEAN's IPO market is poised to stage a comeback and solidify their place as dynamic players in the global capital market," he added.

Read more in the Business Times here.