Ernst & Young says that based on the current deal pipeline, the United States is set for another record year of initial public offerings.

As of June 30, 97 companies were registered to raise a total of US$18.2 billion through IPOs, it reported.

“Global businesses continue to see a receptive U.S. IPO market,” says Maria Pinelli, Americas Director, Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young LLP. “The U.S. is attracting large IPOs from domestic and foreign companies that want the gold standard in IPO markets.”

“This strong pipeline is in line with performance during the second quarter of this year, when U.S. markets raised a total of US$15.7 billion through 59 deals,” Pinelli added. “In a booming global IPO market, the U.S. is leading the way in the amount of capital raised.”

The pharmaceuticals, technology and oil and gas sectors were the most active in the pipeline, with 19, 19 and 15 registrations respectively. Oil and gas companies filed to raise US$3.5 billion, while technology companies filed to raise US$3.4 billion and pharmaceuticals US$1.6 billion. Although there were only three biotechnology companies in registration, the sector showed significant strength by expecting to raise US$2.3 billion.