Stadler, which confirmed on March 19 it was preparing the IPO, was majority-owned by Mr Peter Spuhler, who directly and indirectly held 80% of the firm’s share capital. The remaining stock was held by RAG-Stiftung, Germany (10%) and Stadler employees (10%). Following the IPO, Spuhler will retain a 39.70% share in Stadler assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full.
The company says the IPO was oversubscribed multiple times, following strong demand from institutional investors in Switzerland and internationally as well as from domestic private investors.
Spuhler offered 35 million existing shares in the base offering, with the joint global coordinators granted an over-allotment option of up to 5.25 million existing shares, equivalent to up to 15% of the base offer size, exercisable within 30 days.
Stadler shares began trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange with the ticker symbol SRAIL, with settlement of the IPO expected to occur on April 16. The free float of Stadler is expected to amount to 38.16% before exercise of the over-allotment option and 43.41% if the over-allotment option is exercised in full.
“I am delighted about the successful pricing of our IPO and the strong investor demand for Stadler’s shares,” Spuhler says. “This is clearly another milestone in the history of the company and I remain fully committed to the continued success of Stadler both as the largest shareholder and as executive chairman.”
Credit Suisse and UBS are acting as joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners for the IPO. BNP Paribas, Citigroup and Zürcher Kantonalbank are acting as joint bookrunners and UniCredit Bank as co-lead manager, while Reichmuth & Co, St Galler Kantonalbank and Thurgauer Kantonalbank are acting as selling agents in connection with the IPO.
