Survey: U.S. losing its share of global IPOs.

• Author: Ladd, Scott
• Position: INVESTMENT - Initial public offerings

Attorneys handling initial public offerings believe the United States is losing its position as the global leader in IPOs, and that China is expected to become an even bigger factor globally in IPO issuance in the year ahead.

That's the conclusion of a recent poll of investment attorneys by KCSA Strategic Communications, which specializes in financial, public and investor relations. According to the survey, 71 percent of securities attorneys questioned say they believe the U.S. is starting to lose its share of the global IPO market.

Among the reasons cited are a tougher American regulatory environment, the growing sophistication and liquidity of other global exchanges, as well as the fact that more foreign companies are choosing to list on their home exchange, rather than with more restrictive U.S. exchanges.

Despite the U.S.'s declining share of global IPOs, survey respondents unanimously agree that China will be a strong driver of U.S.-based IPO issuance in 2011.

In addition, respondents expect increasing public offerings in other nations, with India and Brazil cited as countries most likely to drive IPO issuance. Private equity-backed companies are also expected to dominate the IPO landscape in 2011, according to 74 percent of the attorneys surveyed.

Overall, the mood among survey respondents...