Chipmaker CXMT vaults to top of China's valuation with 470% Shanghai debut surge

CXMT, formerly ChangXin Memory Technologies, raised 57.92 billion yuan ($8.6 billion) and the proceeds could rise to 66.61 billion yuan if an over-allotment option is fully used.

At the IPO price, CXMT was valued at about 579 billion yuan ($85.5 billion) before the possible exercise of the over-allotment option, making it one of China's largest listed semiconductor companies.

Only 6.73% of CXMT's enlarged share capital was freely tradable at listing, as most shares are locked up. The small initial float could magnify price swings and attract strong turnover.

HSBC Qianhai Securities said in a note last week that the offering could drain liquidity from the wider Chinese market before and on its debut, though past technology listings suggested a rebound could follow the next trading day.

The explosive debut makes CXMT the most valuable company listed in China, overtaking Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) 601398.SS, the market's previous heavyweight.

CXMT's first-day rally easily outstripped the more-than-doubling recorded by China Resources New Energy 001248.SZ after its $3.6 billion IPO in China earlier this month.

The debut will give investors a gauge of how much they are willing to pay for a marquee Chinese chip firm, as local markets navigate volatility following an AI-led selloff, and money rotates between high-growth technology names and safer sectors.

Shares of CXMT Corp 688825.SS surged 470% at their Shanghai debut on Monday in Asia's biggest IPO this year, catapulting the chipmaker to the top of China's stock market by valuation despite a recent selloff in global tech stocks.