The dust is settling after the flurry of activity in 2021, and the IPO market is facing considerable headwinds. The following key themes could dominate equity market headlines in 2022

While IPO activity was robust throughout Europe, the Nordic region stood out

Fueled by strong stock markets and the need for yield, investors poured money into IPOs in 2021, resulting in a record-breaking year

Companies across the globe are turning to M&A to fulfill their ESG ambitions while investors seek the steep returns on offer

Sponsors spot value in companies that support others in digitally transforming their operations

Vehicle sales rebounded strongly following lockdowns, but Europe’s automotive companies confront a period of significant change as governments phase out combustion engines, supply chain constraints bite and the impacts of events in Ukraine are felt  

A combination of SPACs, pent-up demand from pandemic-shocked 2020 and a wave of technology listings drove the IPO market to record highs 

Ambitious decarbonization policies are encouraging dealmaking within the renewables industry, with the sector’s untapped potential too big to ignore  

Leveraged loan and high yield bond markets in Western and Southern Europe saw a major resurgence in the past 12 months, driven initially by refinancing, followed by almost unprecedented M&A and buyout issuance, and setting the stage for, on balance, a productive year ahead