FGV Launches IPO Prospectus

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV), the world's third largest oil palm operator, today launched the prospectus for its initial public offering (IPO). The company's shares are expected to be listed on the main market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd on June 28, 2012. Under the IPO, FGV would offer up to 2.19 billion ordinary shares to Malaysian and foreign institutional investors including Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry as well as retail investors. The retail portion of the IPO consisting of 273.61 million shares will be priced at the lower of US$1.43 (RM4.55) and 98 per cent of the institutional offer price, whichever is lower. The institutional price will be determined by way of a book-building process. Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Abdul Razak launched the prospectus. FGV group president, Sabri Ahmad, said the listing was a milestone for the company as it moved forward to transform from a Malaysian champion into a leading regional conglomerate and multinational business. "A portion of the IPO exercise is expected to be used for capital expenditure to increase efficiency as well as extension of capabilities, acquisitions of plantations, expansion of downstream activities and other working capital requirements," he said at the launch of the prospectus here Thursday. The strategic initiatives to improve efficiency include extensive oil palm replanting programme to improve age profile at approximately 15,000 hectares per year utilising Felda's award-winning planting materials to increase fresh fruit bunch production and improve oil extraction rate. The proceeds would also be used for potential acquisitions of additional land bank in South-East Asia and Africa for planting oil palm and rubber by 2015. Meanwhile, Felda will expand downstream capabilities to enhance value of its upstream products. This includes further acquisitions and investments in refinery assets, consumer packed plants and bulking facilities. At the same time FGV will continue to focus on upstream and downstream research and development in maintaining business sustainability. Meanwhile, CIMB Investment Bank Bhd chief executive officer, Charon Wardini Mokhzani, said the listing of FGV would make it the largest IPO in Asia this year, the largest IPO in the world this year after Facebook and the largest IPO in Malaysia since Petronas Chemical Group in November 2010. He said up to 2.3 billion shares, representing 63 per cent of the company's enlarged share capital of 3.65 billion shares were being offered: 1.3 billion by way of an offer for sale by Felda and 980 million through a public issue by the company. Institutional investors are being offered 1.9 billion shares, or 52.5 per cent of the enlarged capital, out of which: -- 723.5 million shares (19.8 per cent) of the enlarged capital has been allocated to cornerstone investors; -- 395.6 million shares (10.8 per cent) to state governments; -- 91.2 million shares (2.5 per cent) to strategic investors; -- 419.5 million shares (11.5 per cent) to Bumiputera institutional and selected investors approved by Ministry of International Trade and Industry; and, -- 285.4 million shares (7.8 per cent) for institutional investors. "There is an over-allotment option of 109.4 million shares, or three per cent," he said. Charon said eligible settlers and employees had a preferential allocations at the retail price of up to 200.6 million shares, or 5.5 per cent, through blue and pink forms. "Retail investors are offered 73 million shares, or two per cent, and the retail price is US$1.43 (RM4.55) per share or a two per cent discount to the final institutional price, whichever is lower, he said. "By any measure this is a major global IPO. Assuming a retail price of US$1.43, the offering will raise approximately US$3.30 billion (RM10.5 billion) for both Felda Global and Felda and will give Felda Global a market capitalisation in excess of US$5.03 billion (RM16 billion). -- BERNAMA