Around ten Ukrainian companies are expected to hold IPOs (initial public offerings) this year, Head of Corporate Finance and M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) at Ernst & Young in Ukraine Vladyslav Ostapenko has said.

"We may see about 10 placements, mainly on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and primarily agricultural companies," he said, according to a press release by the company.

According to Ostapenko, for Ukraine, as well as for the markets in other countries, the year 2011 can also be the biggest on record for sold IPOs.

"Though in Ukraine there are a few active private equity funds, the main IPO initiators are not PE-funds, but private individuals - business owners who seek to take advantage of intensification of the capital market and open 'IPO window' for raising additional capital and strengthening market positions," the expert said.

He said that last year's placement had successfully proved that the market was open and waiting for new issuers, so a large number of companies since last year are under active preparation for an IPO.

UKRINFORM