Global IPO proceeds rose in 2018, supported by investor confidence, large pools of liquidity, strong valuations and low interest rates. Until beginning December 2018, 1,359 IPOs had been registered with proceeds of US$204.8b – a 6% increase on proceeds despite a 21% decline in volume. The rise of unicorn-related IPO activity and mega IPOs were key factors in helping to push 2018 proceeds beyond 2017 levels. This trend is expected to continue into 2019, with the backlog of IPO candidates increasing and capital becoming more widely available.

The economic climate improved in December 2018 by 3.4 points, assisted by the improvement of the business climate in services and manufacturing industry.

Revenue from tourism reached €293,8 mn in October 2018 compared to €277,1 mn in the corresponding month of 2017, recording an increase of 6.0%, according to the results of the Passenger Survey, published recently by the Statistical Service.

Investing in real estate in Cyprus is worthwhile for foreign and local investors for all types of property.

Cyprus recorded inflation of 1.7% in December 2018, data released recently by the Cyprus Statistical Service show.

The unemployed persons, registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of December 2018, reached 29,800 persons.

Drilling in Cyprus’ offshore block 10 by ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum has been delayed for 10 days due to a technical problem, reports said recently.

Cypriot businesses are facing the new year with optimism as regards prospects for growth but remain concerned over red tape and energy prices, the chamber of commerce (Keve) said recently.

A DBRS credit agency insights newsletter which takes a look into the European Central Bank’s asset purchase programme reports that Cypriot government debt securities account for only 4% of €2.1 trillion public sector asset holdings the ECB had at the end of 2018.

On the last trading session of December 2018 the General Index reached 66,77 points, representing a relative decrease of 0,07% from the previous month.