IPO Survey: 2012 To Be Flat, Despite Hype Around Facebook Offering

Initial public offerings in 2012 will reflect continued market volatility but remain relatively flat compared to 2011, according to a survey released this week by communications firm KCSA Strategic Communications.

The study, which surveyed 50 securities attorneys from a variety of industries, found as many as 92 percent believe the IPO market in 2012 will be flat. Even more expect the most anticipated 2012 IPO to be from Facebook.

Despite the clear hype surrounding the likes of Facebook and Twitter, some concern abounds regarding the prospect of a social media bubble. While nearly three-quarters of respondents cited Groupon as the most anticipated IPO of 2011, 85 percent claimed it was also the most over-hyped.

"Although companies such as Groupon, LinkedIn and Zynga have dominated the headlines, we have seen investor appetite, especially for IPOs, gravitate toward companies that operate within more mature, proven industries," said Jeff Corbin, chief executive officer of KCSA.

Accordingly, Corbin added, both institutional and individual investors will likely be craving a respite from market turbulence in 2012 and a return to predictability.