Brazilian Educator Files IPO

Anima Educacao has officially joined the ranks of Brazilians looking to launch an IPO. The size and timing remain to be set, though an initial filing this week sets it up for a September or October pricing. The sale is to include primary shares, as well as secondary shares sold by a private equity fund linked to BR Investimentos, according to a prospectus. BR Investimentos bought into the company last year and holds a 30.5% stake. Anima is raising funds to expand organically and through acquisitions. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, HSBC and Itau are managing the sale. Anima booked BRL215m ($91m) Ebitda in 1H 2013, up from BRL158m in 1H 2012. Its 2012 full-year Ebitda reached BRL324m, up from BRL254m in 2011. The issuer joins peer Ser Educacional in the Brazilian IPO pipeline, along with vehicle services providers Ouro Verde, Sascar and Unidas.