Global IPOs picking up steam as markets rise.

• Position: INVESTMENT

The prognosis from the end of 2010 was that initial public offerings would be experiencing a strong rate of growth in the year ahead. The Ernst & Young Global IPO for 2011 study shows that the first two months of the year have affirmed that investment optimism is creating a rebound in the international IPO market.

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According to the study, an estimated $253 billion was raised in 193 deals through January and February, as new investors sought to capitalize on emerging markets that have fueled stock market rallies and new listings across the world.

A number of important factors have contributed to this heightened level of IPO activity. Among them: State privatizations, multinational spin-offs and the growing success of companies in the natural resources industries, including gas and oil, as well as the technology sector.

"The shortage of exit routes, the lack of capital-raising and the numerous listing postponements...