2013 record year for stock market flotations. The capital raised by means of stock market flotation beat the record in 2013. Capital more than doubled in Europe during 2013, and volumes raised over the fourth quarter were expected to be the highest since 2010, according to the latest Ernst & Young report. In total, 865 companies were floated (IPO) last year, raising around $163 billion, in other words almost 30% more than the previous year. Big names were floated on the market such as the Royal Mail, Twitter, Suntory Beverage & Food. The global top 10 flotations in 2013 were: (1) BB Seguridade Participacoes ($5.7 billion raised); (2) Suntory Beverage & Food ($4 billion); (3) Royal Mail ($3.2 billion); (4) Plains GP Holdings ($2.9 billion); (5) Zoetis ($2.6 billion); (6) China Cinda AM ($2.5 billion); (7) BTS Rail Fund ($2.1 billion); (8) Twitter ($2.1 billion); (9) Antero Resources ($1.8 billion); (10) Sinopec Engineering ($1.8 billion). According to specialists, this clear recovery in flotations has taken place in a very buoyant stock market context, with American indexes setting the records. Overall, stock market flotations went quite well - only 119 operations were postponed or cancelled (14% of the total number), compared with 211 in 2012 (29%). Furthermore, 90% of the operations were achieved at prices in or above the proposed range. In geographical terms, activity was led by the US, where capital raised rose by 30% to over $53 billion - which Ernst & Young says is a record. Europe also stood out with a clear recovery - companies raised nearly $33 billion, in other words more than double that in 2012 ($14 billion). Ernst & Young is very optimistic for 2014, with between 250 and 300 operations on the agenda, raising between $35 and $45 billion. Activity could increase by 25 to 30%, thanks especially to the re-opening of the Chinese market after over a year of suspension. In Europe, the stock market flotation of Danish cleaning giant ISS is particularly awaited, as is that of cable operator ONO and of the Aena airports in Spain. (IL/transl.fl)