Chile’s Recalcine (CFR) missed its target on a CLP172.72bn ($368m) IPO, though it saw its shares end up more than 13% in the market. The acquisitive pharmaceutical company with a presence in 19 countries announced a price Thursday morning below the target minimum price it had set for Wednesday’s auction, raising less than the $400m-equivalent it had hoped for. It priced the 2.03bn shares at CLP85 per share, below the CLP90 floor it had wanted. A CLP90 price would have meant a CLP182.7bn ($390m) sale that would have been closer to the $400m expectation. However, the shares were in demand in their first session, closing Thursday at CLP96.36, up 13.4% from the issue price. Total demand on the Chile’s first IPO of the year reached CLP1.56trn ($3.40bn) from 4,518 orders, but orders at or above CLP90 were not sufficient and the issuer chose to price below, according to a Bolsa filing. About 24% of the sale was bought as ADS, and foreign investors buying local shares accounted for another 31% of the deal, according to the bolsa. Domestic pensions and insurance companies made up 21%, and 10% went to retail investors, with the remainder going to other investors. Analysts’ fair price estimates varied between CLP70-CLP100 prior to the sale. Most see it as an attractive investment given its strong presence in the region and capacity to expand in LatAm and other EM as the health sector reaches more people with rising incomes in these countries. CFR is raising funds for new acquisitions, as well as for refinancing debt and organic expansion. The sale includes 1.7bn primary shares, as well as 336m secondary shares sold by the controlling Weinstein family. LarrainVial, Jefferies and JPMorgan managed the sale, the first Chilean IPO since a CLP109bn sale from Camanchaca in November. Next up in Chile’s IPO market is fishery AquaChile, pricing an IPO May 19 targeting about $250m equivalent.
Category: Equity
Recalcine Set for Bolsa Debut
Chilean pharmaceutical company Recalcine (CFR) is set to announce the price on its approximately $400m IPO this morning, following conclusion of the auction process yesterday. Analysts were estimating a CLP70-CLP100 fair price for the 2.1bn shares, which would indicate a CLP147bn-CLP210bn ($318m-$455m) deal. Bankers had estimated the deal would raise just above $400m. Analysts like CFR’s diversity, growth plan and the sector’s high barriers to entry for competitors. The pharmaceutical industry should see growth of 5%-8% in 2010-2014, according to Chilean brokerage Security, led mainly by EM growth. Security sees fair value for the shares at CLP82, with a CLP88 year-end target, and recommends buying at up to CLP70, it says. The pharmacy is offering 1.8bn primary shares, as well as 336m secondary shares to be sold by the controlling Weinstein family. Recalcine is raising funds for new acquisitions, as well as for refinancing debt and organic expansion. “The country mix should keep expanding if CFR keeps doing what it is doing now,” says Alex Sadzawka, analyst at Celfin, who declines to comment on his firm’s price recommendation. He sees particular opportunity in Southeast Asia. “There should be a drive for M&A, and there is space for organic growth in countries like Argentina, Peru and Colombia. There is lots of room to expand different business lines into other countries,” he adds. Recalcine is in 19 countries in Asia, the Americas and Europe, either through direct operations or joint ventures. Larrain Vial, Jefferies and JPMorgan are managing the sale, which represents about 24% of the company’s capital. The stock marks a relatively new angle for the local bourse, with only the less diverse generic drug specialist Andromaco represented from the pharmaceutical sector.
Suzano Readies Convertible Domestic Bond
Brazilian pulp and paper company Suzano Celulose e Papel is planning to sell BRL1.2bn in 2013 convertible bonds in a private sale, it says. The deal is divided into a BRL401.8m convertible into preferred shares, and a BRL798.2m tranche convertible into common shares. Both pay interest at ICPA+ 4.5%, and are convertible after 2 years at a rate of BRL17.39. Proceeds will fund construction on a new unit at its industrial plant in the state of Maranhao. An investor relations official explains the debentures are to be offered to controlling shareholders, with BNDES agreeing to guarantee to buy up to BRL572m of the remainder. Suzano is rated Aa1/A+ on a national scale.
Brazil Pharma Plans IPO
Brazil Pharma has filed to IPO in Brazil, according to the CVM. The retail pharmaceutical operation controlled by BTG Pactual has not indicated the size or timing of the transaction, which will consist entirely of primary shares. It has hired Bradesco, BTG Pactual, and Morgan Stanley to manage. It plans to use 70% of the proceeds for new acquisitions, and 10% each to fund integration, product development and to make payments to the previous owners of companies it has acquired. Founded in 2009, Brazil Pharma began acquiring drugstores in 2010, when it bought Rede Nordeste de Farmacias. It has since added Rosario Distrital, Farmais, Guararapes and Mais Economica. BTG gained control this year, and now holds 75%. Brazil Pharma had been rumored as a likely IPO candidate, considering its expansion plans and the expected growth in Brazil’s heath sector and the success of other public drug stores including Droga Raia.
Carlyle Preps Qualicorp Exit
Grupo Qualicorp, the Brazilian health plan vendor controlled by PE firm Carlyle Group, is planning an IPO, according to regulatory documents. It does not indicate the timing or the size of the operation. The sale is to include primary and secondary shares owned by Carlyle, which holds a 69% stake in the company, and Jose Seripieri Filho, who owns 31%. Qualicorp, founded in 1997, recorded Ebitda of BRL127.5m in 2010, up from BRL56.4m in 2009. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bradesco, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs are managing the sale. The announcement comes the same day as Brazilian drugstore operator Brazil Pharma’s IPO announcement, in what is shaping up to be an active year for health IPOs. Pharmacies Drogaria Sao Paulo and Pague Menos are also rumored to seek a listing this year.
Perenco Plans Brazil Spinoff
Perenco Petroleo e Gas do Brasil Participacoes, the Brazilian unit of UK-based oil exploration company Perenco, has filed for an IPO. It does not give the expected size or the timing of the 100% primary share offer. Perenco, which operates in 16 countries worldwide, is seeking funds to develop its 5 blocks in the Espirito Santo Basin and acquire additional blocks, according to a prospectus. It has been operating in Brazil since 2007. BTG, Itau and Morgan Stanley are managing the sale. While investors have shown significant interest in consumer-focused IPOs in Brazil, E&P companies have had a more difficult time. Foreign companies in particular have struggled, with Australia’s Karoon Gas pulling a deal last year. HRT raised BRL2.62bn last year, and Queiroz Galvao’s QGEP raising BRL1.52bn. Both closed above their IPO prices Tuesday, at BRL1,499 and BRL20.40, respectively.
Alto Palermo Plans Follow-on
Argentina’s Alto Palermo has filed to sell additional shares in the US and Argentina, according to an SEC document. The shopping mall operator gave few details in its initial filing, but has indicated an estimated size of up to $500m. APSA, as it is also known, plans to use proceeds to fund a buyback of its $31.7m in 10% of 2014 bonds, which shareholders are set to approve May 26, as well as fund expansion, remodeling and working capital. The company is still in the process of determining the managing banks, a company finance official says. APSA operates or owns 12 shopping malls in Argentina. It is 96% owned by real estate company IRSA.
Evolving Growth Play
As Brazil’s middle-income segment continues to grow, a straightforward equities buy has become trickier stock-picking terrain. Inflation and government policy are the biggest risks.
LatAm Equity Takes in Fresh Money
LatAm equity funds took in $57m for the week ended April 27, according to EPFR Global. That is the first time LatAm funds took in new money since the second week of January. Brazil equity funds posted outflows of $21m, the fourteenth time in 17 weeks they have seen outflows. Mexico funds also had outflows of $3m. GEM funds took in $1.8 billion during the week and extended their current inflow streak to five consecutive weeks during late April, making it their longest since a 29 week run ended during the third week of December. Performance was negative for the week, as EM funds were down 0.21% for the week ended April 28, although they are up 3.44% ytd, according to Lipper. LatAm funds dropped 1.36% for the week, and are down 0.52% ytd. Meanwhile, global small and mid-cap funds are up 1.42% for the week and 7.96% ytd.
Scylla and Charybdis
Peruvians went to the polls in April to send nationalist Ollanta Humala into a June 5 runoff with Congresswoman Keiko Fujimori, setting up a battle between right and left that […]
