Private Equity Tests Market with CDW IPO

Technology products retailer CDW Corp, which was taken private by Madison Dearborn Partners LLC and Providence Equity Partners for $7.3 billion in 2007, expects to raise up to $738 million in its initial public offering, Reuters reported.

(Reuters) – Technology products retailer CDW Corp, which was taken private by Madison Dearborn Partners LLC and Providence Equity Partners for $7.3 billion in 2007, expects to raise up to $738 million in its initial public offering, according to a regulatory filing.

Private equity-backed companies made impressive debuts earlier this year as U.S. stock markets touched record highs. But markets have since eased on concern that the Federal Reserve will soon start to wind back its stimulus policies.

CDW, which sells products from Apple Inc, Hewlett-Packard Co and IBM Corp, among others, said it expected its offering of 27.9 million shares, excluding underwriters option, to be priced at between $20 and $23 each.

The company would be valued at about $3.87 billion at the top end of the range. It also had about $3.3 billion of long-term debt outstanding as of March 31.

The retailer, which sells both online and through its catalog, is offering 23.3 million shares, while stockholders are selling the rest.

Madison Dearborn, which is selling 2.4 million shares, is cutting its stake in the company to 36.9 percent from 45.9 percent. Providence Equity is selling 2.1 million shares, reducing its stake reduce to 32.6 percent from 40.6 percent.

CDW earned $247 million, excluding items, on sales of $10.1 billion in 2012.

CDW’s private equity owners will be hoping to match the success of recent private-equity backed IPOs including those of Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc (BFAM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Boise Cascade (BCC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Other private equity-backed companies such as oil and gas company Antero Resources Corp and industrial distribution company HD Supply are also gearing up for IPOs this year.

J.P. Morgan, Barclays and Goldman Sachs & Co are leading the offering from Vernon Hills, Illinois-based CDW, which plans to list its shares on the Nasdaq under the symbol “CDW.”

Separately, online video advertising provider Tremor Video Inc filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission on Friday to raise up to $112 million through an IPO. (link.reuters.com/qyj88t)

New York-based Tremor, which counts Facebook Inc (FB.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Hulu and Google Inc’s (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) YouTube among its competitors, said it expected to price its offering of 7.5 million shares to be priced between $11 and $13 per share.
The company has applied to list its stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TRMR.”

Diamond Resorts International Inc also filed to raise up to $200 million in an IPO.

The Nevada-based company operates 80 Diamond Resorts in the continental United States, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe.