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Megafon raises $1.7bn in Moscow and London share sale | Megafon raises $1.7bn in Moscow and London share sale |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Megafon, the mobile phone operator controlled by Russia's richest man, has raised $1.7bn (£1.1bn) from a share sale in Moscow and London. | Megafon, the mobile phone operator controlled by Russia's richest man, has raised $1.7bn (£1.1bn) from a share sale in Moscow and London. |
Pricing shares at the bottom of its $20-$25 range, the sale values Megafon at $11.1bn. | Pricing shares at the bottom of its $20-$25 range, the sale values Megafon at $11.1bn. |
The listing is the biggest by a Russian company since aluminium producer Rusal raised $2.2bn in Hong Kong in 2010. | The listing is the biggest by a Russian company since aluminium producer Rusal raised $2.2bn in Hong Kong in 2010. |
Russia's second biggest mobile operator is controlled by Alisher Usmanov, a 30% stakeholder in Arsenal football club. | Russia's second biggest mobile operator is controlled by Alisher Usmanov, a 30% stakeholder in Arsenal football club. |
The shares are listed in London as global depository receipts, which are issued by a bank that holds the shares on behalf of the investor. | The shares are listed in London as global depository receipts, which are issued by a bank that holds the shares on behalf of the investor. |
'No flurry' | |
Analysts said the share sale had received a lukewarm reception from investors. | Analysts said the share sale had received a lukewarm reception from investors. |
"Megafon is five years late with its [share sale] as the phase of active growth of the Russian telecoms market is already over," said Yevgeny Golosnoy, analyst at brokerage Metropol. | |
"Global investors are cautious because they need either a very low price or growth potential." | |
In lunchtime trading in London, Megafon shares were down almost 2%, while towards the end of trading in Moscow they were up about 1.5%. | |
Mr Usmanov has retained his controlling share, while Nordic telecoms group Teliasonera has reduced its stake from 36% to 29%. | Mr Usmanov has retained his controlling share, while Nordic telecoms group Teliasonera has reduced its stake from 36% to 29%. |
There are 227 million mobile phone subscriptions in Russia, whose population is 144 million. This is because many people own more than one sim card. | There are 227 million mobile phone subscriptions in Russia, whose population is 144 million. This is because many people own more than one sim card. |
At the end of last year, Megafon had 63 million subscribers, up 10% on 2010. It is the second-biggest mobile operator in Russia behind MTS. | At the end of last year, Megafon had 63 million subscribers, up 10% on 2010. It is the second-biggest mobile operator in Russia behind MTS. |