On Friday AB InBev called off the Hong Kong listing of its Asia Pacific brewing business, that was being managed by Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan, citing several factors, including prevailing market conditions. A further 11 banks were listed as global coordinators and bookrunners but Goldman had no role on the deal.
In the internal email sent as the deal was faltering on Friday, the Goldman banker told colleagues they needed to call clients “as soon as possible” to reassure them that a collapsed deal did not mean markets were closed.
“MS is the only bank to have played a lead role on the two largest postponed HK IPOs in past decade,” said the email, sent to investment bankers in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan. “GS has successfully led 26 jumbo Hong Kong IPOs above US$1bn as Sponsor since 2010, more than any other bank on the Street (MS 19, JPM 15),” the email said.