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“ There’s no question that the ability

to generate the capital through the
ASX platform is much easier than privately,
especially in the resources sector. When you
start to get into something of reasonable size

and the equity raisings that are required, it is
certainly the way forward.

Paul Carter

While no one in the world will be hop- “During COVID, we have also seen
ing 2021 is a repeat of last year, advisers the rise of the retail speculator [often
expect the IPO trend to continue. younger] who are using online platforms
While no one in the world will be hop- to research and find and follow interest-
ing 2021 is a repeat of last year, advisers ing stories,” Taylor said. “This group has
expect the IPO trend to continue. risen as a result of more people stuck
“We have a number of IPOs on the at home and looking for things to spend
books and predict the run will continue. money on.
Several of them are resources compa- “HotCopper used to dominate but has
nies and at least two others mining ser- been pushed quickly to the side by Twit-
vices companies,” Athanasoff said. ter which is the predominant platform
Andrawes is witnessing a similar trend. for the exchange of ideas now. It’s a bit
“We see the IPO theme continuing in scary really; some Twitter ‘influencers’
2021 especially as they are still going have tens of thousands of followers and
well,” he said. “And, it is not just explora- if they mention a stock, then everyone
tion companies, there are several mining piles in. It’s just the way things are going
services IPOs at the moment as well.” – the market has been ‘gamified’.”
Investor relations specialist Peter Tay- For Carter, a veteran of the WA stock-
lor sees no evidence of interest in re- broking scene, the global pandemic has
sources equities slowing. even seen a shift in investors’ attitudes
“There has been a significant increase to life.
in enquiry for base metals and gold jun- “People are more wary about their
iors and the industry participants – from mortality and that has affected how they
the broking and investment to the drilling think about their investments,” he said.
and services areas – have rarely been “COVID-19 has been good for WA for
busier,” he said. “Interest has been com- a few things; cheap crayfish, local explo-
ing from both retail and institutional in- ration success and also stopping people
vestors who seem to be sitting on strong taking their portfolio for granted. They
cash positions.” have their normal, stable portfolio but are
Carter and Taylor have also identified also willing to have some punt money.”
new investment flows and attitudes re-
sulting from the pandemic. – Paydirt staff
Sherif Andrawes

Page 22 FeBRUaRY 2021 aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT