Wall Street Newbie: Francesca's Holdings for $150M IPO
By FashionUnited
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Wall Street is about to welcome a new incorporation to its fashion retailers as Women's apparel and accessories retailer Francesca's Holdings Corp. has just filed for up to an estimated $150 million to be raised in an initial public offering, as it seeks
proceeds to repay debt and possible expansion.T
According to market data, the company has about $41.4 million in proceeds from the offering earmarked toward repaying a senior secured credit facility. Remaining funds may be used for opening new stores and growing its e-commerce business.
For the year ended Jan. 29, Francesca's swung to a profit as sales jumped 70%. Same-store sales climbed 15% on top of a 9.8% increase a year earlier.
The Houston, TX-based company, which was founded in 1999 and booked $135 million in sales last year, plans to list on the NASDAQ under the symbol FRAN. Private equity firm CCMP Capital acquired a controlling interest in the company in February 2010 and currently holds an 84% stake. Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan and Jefferies & Co. are the lead underwriters on the deal. No pricing terms were disclosed.
New York-based private equity firm CCMP Capital Advisors acquired the company last year and will continue to hold a controlling stake after the IPO. CCMP paid about $200 million, The Wall Street Journal reported at the time, citing people familiar with the matter.
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