Companies raised $167.2 billion through 454 offerings on U.S. exchanges this year through Dec. 24, compared with the previous full-year record of $107.9 billion at the height of the dot-com boom in 1999, according to Dealogic. Also Read | The march of 2020 in 10 key long readsThe coronavirus pandemic turned the typical rhythm of the IPO market on its head, with $67.3 billion raised in the fourth quarter. The IPO market got a boost from a surprising surge in special-purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, empty vehicles that raise money through listings and then look for businesses to merge with. Those gains raised eyebrows among some who worry the IPO market is overheating and drew parallels with the period before the internet bubble burst in early 2000. Not all new entrants are receiving a warm welcome from public investors.

Source: Mint December 31, 2020 03:00 UTC