Hong Kong defies upsurge in protests, leads global IPO market since Sept

Sentiment in Hong Kong's primary market turned around as AB InBev revived its IPO plan for Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Ltd. last month

Hong Kong’s IPO market is making a huge comeback.

Defying the intensifying protests that have hurt the city’s economy from trade to tourism, Hong Kong’s has led the world in initial public offerings since the start of September.

The total value of first-time share sales at the Hong Kong stock exchange since Sept. 1 is $7.9 billion, overshadowing Nasdaq Inc.’s $7 billion and $3 billion at the New York stock exchange, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Anheuser-Busch InBev NV’s $5.8 billion IPO of its Asian unit and another billion-dollar-plus deal contributed to the lead held by the Asian financial