IPOs Skyrocket In Record-Breaking 2014

There were more than 300 IPOs on the books this year—up nearly 25% over 2013 The Nasdaq had the most IPOs, but the New York Stock Exchange, which raised $70 billion along the way, landed the biggest fish.

From Alibaba to GrubHub and 127 other initial public offerings in between, it was a banner year for IPOs on the New York Stock Exchange, according to newly released data from the market.

The NASDAQ, its main competitor, led in total IPO numbers, with 186 and counting in 2014. But it raised less than a third of the $70 billion in capital that infused NYSE IPOs, which included big fish like Chinese internet giant Alibaba and the $2.3 billion raised by Paramount Group in the biggest-ever IPO of a real estate investment trust (REIT). In total, the NYSE hosted 8 of the 10 biggest IPOs in 2014.

It also won the majority of technology IPOs, with a little more than half of all tech companies choosing to list on the NYSE. Those 32 listings, which included GrubHub, LendingClub and On Deck Capital, accounted for nearly 90% of capital raised this year by all newly-public tech companies, according to the NYSE.

It was a busy year all-round for IPOs, which are commonly seen as a measure of underlying economic confidence -- and bullishness in financial markets. In total, the 315 IPOs on the country's two largest markets in 2014 helped break an all time record previously set in 2000.

"Our continued focus on and investment in NYSE's core value proposition – from our proven market model and trading floor to our unparalleled visibility platform and focus on our customers – has consistently earned the confidence of our issuer community and their shareholders," said Scott Cutler, executive VP and head of global listings at the NYSE. "We continue to build on our network of the world's leading businesses while delivering the market tools and access to capital they require."

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