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First of IBO—designed to raises funds and promote visibility for SMEs—by an unlisted company
NYSE Euronext has announced a €7.3 million bond issue by REALITES, a major real estate promoter in Western France, on NYSE Alternext in Paris. It was the first time an unlisted company used an Initial Bond Offer (IBO)—an instrument that allows businesses to diversify their sources of funding while channelling individuals’ savings into investment.
Placement of REALITES bonds took the same form as an IPO of shares, with admission to trading under a global offer that included a public offering in France open to individual investors and centralised by NYSE Euronext, and a global placement with institutional investors by Portzamparc, acting as lead manager and bookrunner. The offer raised €2.8 million from individual investors.
Holders of REALITES bonds, priced at a nominal €100, will earn 9% fixed interest a year for six years. Interest will be paid half-yearly each 12 July and 12 January, starting on 12 January 2014. The company’s healthy finances earned it a BB- rating from independent rating agency Scope Credit Rating on 31 May 2013.
“We are delighted with REALITES’ successful Initial Bond Offer on NYSE Euronext. With IBOs, our aim is to give SMEs of any size a means of raising funds through a visible, structured offer and a centralised orderbook,” said Marc Lefèvre, Head of European Business Development and Client Coverage, Listings Europe, NYSE Euronext. “For an unlisted SME like REALITES, the IBO is a way to test the Bourse waters through a bond issue, and thus diversify its sources of financing.”
Yoann Joubert, Chairman and founder of REALITES, added: “I would like to thank all of the investors, both individuals and institutionals, that have placed their trust in us. We are delighted with the success of our issue, which has raised additional funds to consolidate our growth. Both our company and I are proud that this is also the first bond issue for an unlisted company in France. This bold operation underscores the culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that are part of our company’s DNA. And as a successful experience on financial markets, it may pave the way to new issues in the future.”
