IPO Market's All Fired Up and Ready to Go

 

Today, it is absolutely glorious here in Boulder, Colo. The sun is out, the air is clean and the IPO market is as strong as a horse. For me, it's like being in love.

This week is stacked with equity syndicate deals, 20 total. Of that number, six are IPOs. Do I love them all? Almost! I'll be straight and tell you that five of the six deals slated to price this week are carrying a HOT! flag on their backs. No, I've not gone loopy on you. Things are just looking good. Here's a quick rundown.

Tonight for tomorrow we have Fisher & Paykel Industries (proposed symbol FPHC:Nasdaq), which designs, manufactures and markets heated humidification products and systems for use in respiratory care. Consider this a solid medical device play. I like the balance sheet, you know I love the sector and Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown as lead is a feel-good feature of this deal. I'm looking for 10% to 20% out of this stock right out of the gate.

Another IPO pricing tonight is AMN Healthcare Services (proposed symbol AHS:NYSE). The company is in the temporary health care staffing business. Revenue growth has been explosive, and AMN turns a tidy profit. Consider this a good comp to Cross Country(CCRN Quote), which, as I write this, is trading up a blistering 35% over its issue price. AMN is being led by underwriter Banc of America Securities.

Later in the week, Tuesday actually, we'll see Advisory Board (proposed symbol ABCO:Nasdaq) take a stab at going public. This one carries with it an excellent comp in Corporate Executive Board(EXBD Quote). The deals also have a commonality in that both IPOs represent cashouts by the same shareholder, David Bradley, who founded both companies. Look at a chart of Corporate Executive and know that the market loves these deals. I expect at least a buck from this one on day one.

With proposed terms of 17.4 million shares at $21 to $23, Weight Watchers International (proposed symbol WTW:NYSE) is the largest offering of the week. It is also the most anticipated deal. Revenue is strong, profits even stronger. This deal looks like a performer. Credit Suisse First Boston leads.

Thursday night for Friday's trading expect offerings from DJ Orthopedics (proposed symbol DJO:NYSE), a medical device maker, and video game maker BAM! Entertainment (proposed symbol BFUN:Nasdaq). DJ Orthopedics is looking to capitalize on the market's current love affair with medical IPOs. BAM! seems especially well-timed given the obvious interest in video games during the upcoming holiday season. I am looking for a nice pop from these two names.

That's it for this week. Look for the third installation in my IPO primer series midweek.

Trade safe.

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Ben Holmes is the founder of ipoPros.com, a Boulder, Colo.-based research boutique (now a wholly-owned subsidiary of TheStreet.com) specializing in the analysis of equity syndicate offerings. This column is not meant as investment advice; it is instead meant to provide insight into the methods of new and secondary offerings. Neither Holmes nor his firm has entered indications of interest in any of the companies discussed in this column. Under no circumstances does the information in this column represent a recommendation to buy or sell stocks. Holmes appreciates your feedback and invites you to send it to Ben Holmes.




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