Geopark expected to price today

Chilean oil and gas explorer Geopark is due to price its SEC-registered IPO today. The firm said last month it planned to sell 20m shares at $8 to $10 each. Equity markets have performed poorly in recent weeks, and investors have been wary of participating in new issues amid heavy volatility, but LatinFinance understands the deal is still set to proceed. BTG Pactual, Itau and JPMorgan are lead managers on the offering, which is to facilitate future access to international equity markets and finance potential acquisitions in South America. Also in the market today is Office Depot de Mexico. Grupo Gigante is targeting a sale of 253m ODM shares at between MXN16 and MXN18 apiece. BBVA Bancomer and Credit Suisse are leads. Viva Aerobus is also in the pipeline with an IPO that is expected to be priced on February 11.