Breaking news

The World’s Biggest IPO For 2024: Logistics Giant Lineage Raises $4.4 Billion.

Lineage, the world’s largest operator of cold storage warehouses, raised $4.44 billion in its initial public offering (IPO) in the United States, the largest stock market debut in the world this year, Reuters reported.

KEY FACTS

  • Lineage listed just under 57 million shares in New York at $78 apiece, at the upper end of its previously announced range of $70 to $82.
  • The $4.44 billion IPO values ​​Lineage at more than $18 billion and is the largest since chip company Arm raised $4.87 billion in its IPO last September.
  • Lineage’s books will begin trading on the Nasdaq on Thursday.

INTERESTING FACT

Global IPOs raised $48.8 billion in the first half of 2024, down 18% from a year earlier and the lowest level for the period since 2016, LSEG data showed. But proceeds from U.S. IPOs reached $17 billion, more than double year-earlier levels and a three-year high.

KEY STORY

Lineage specializes in temperature-controlled warehouses, operating 482 such warehouses worldwide and serving more than 13,000 customers, many of whom are involved in food supply chains such as distributors, retailers and manufacturers.

Adam Forst and Kevin Marchetti founded the business as a single warehouse in Seattle in 2008. Since then, they’ve grown the company with 116 acquisitions, generating $5.3 billion in revenue by 2023. Forst and Marchetti’s company, Bay Grove Capital, owns the majority by Lineage.

The company is structured as a real estate investment trust that allows shareholders to deduct some of the taxes they pay on their dividends. The company used its cash flow for acquisitions and investments in its business, reporting a net loss of $162.8 million in the 12 months to the end of March.

UAE Job Trends For 2025: High-Demand And Lucrative Roles Revealed

The UAE’s flourishing asset management sector, bolstered by rising investor interest, regulatory advancements, and a surge in Family Offices and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), is driving demand for banking and finance talent.

Roles in fundraising and institutional sales are particularly sought after, with professionals in these fields highly valued for their regional networks and industry expertise, according to Michael Page’s UAE 2025 Salary Guides. The comprehensive report, which includes insights from 17 industries, offers an overview of current hiring trends, salary benchmarks, and the recruitment challenges businesses face.

Banking And Finance In High Demand

The report highlights a significant need for compliance professionals, especially those with experience in Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) regulations. Chief Compliance Officers and Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) are among the most lucrative roles in the sector. Jon Ede, Regional Director UAE at Michael Page, pointed out that in 2024, the UAE’s workforce grew by 9%, and the number of new companies increased by 14.5%, showing the success of the nation’s strategic initiatives.

Sales, Marketing, And IT Growth

The sales and marketing sector has seen steady growth, especially in B2B industries like technology, real estate, energy, and logistics. Roles such as Business Development Manager, Chief Commercial Officer, and Strategic Sales Director are in demand, with a premium placed on business development, key account management, and communication skills.

The IT sector, meanwhile, continues to evolve rapidly, with high demand for positions like Head of Software Development, Full-Stack Software Engineer, Agile Product Manager, Senior DevOps Engineer, and Digital Adoption Specialist. The report underscores the significant shift in the UAE talent market for digital professionals in recent years.

Navigating The Skills Shortage

The study also highlights the growing skills shortage, with businesses grappling to find candidates with the right expertise. A staggering 37% of business leaders reported challenges in finding skilled talent, while nearly a third (30%) struggled with employee retention. Nearly half (48%) of employers also cited aligning salary expectations with candidates as a key obstacle.

Ede suggests that businesses can overcome these challenges by offering competitive packages that include benefits, career development opportunities, and workplace incentives, positioning themselves as attractive employers in the competitive UAE job market.

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