BUZZ-Back in the game: IPO stocks surge in 2024 as 'animal spirits' hit equity markets

** U.S. initial public offerings recovered from nearly a three-year drought in 2024, with analysts and bankers expecting a more robust 2025

** Hopes for a broad revival have been fueled by major equity indexes hitting record highs, return of Donald Trump to the White House and the strong post-debut performance of marquee listings this year

** "News of IPO deals emerging across multiple industries strengthens our faith that the listing markets will meaningfully reopen in 2025," Running Point Capital's CIO Michael Ashley Schulman told Reuters earlier this month

** U.S. IPOs raised a total of $40.98 bln in 2024 through 218 listings, as of Dec. 19, compared with $23.96 bln from 148 deals during the same period last year, according to data from Dealogic

** Reddit RDDT.N, the microblogging platform behind the popular WallStreetBets forum, leads gains among top listings of the year, with a nearly five-fold surge from its IPO price

** Wilson tennis racket maker Amer Sports AS.N and cruise operator Viking VIK.N are up 118.5% and 85%, respectively, YTD

** Microsoft-backed Rubrik RBRK.N has gained 113% this year, while AI chip firm Astera Labs ALAB.O has surged 279%; healthcare payments firm Waystar WAY.O has climbed 72%

** Notably, 2024 also marked the return of Chinese listings in the country, including EV maker Zeekr ZK.N

** Renaissance IPO Index .FTIPOUSA — tracking high-profile listings — up ~17.5% YTD

** Wall Street is reportedly set to witness the IPOs of fintech giant Chime, healthcare giant Medline and AI chipmaker Cerebras in 2025

(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru)

((Manya.Saini@thomsonreuters.com))