Finance1 min read

Australia's corporate regulator probing failed $5 billion Firmus IPO

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission confirmed it is examining the circumstances behind the listing's sudden withdrawal on October 9. While no formal investigation has commenced, officials are reviewing media reports and questioning the lead financial institutions managing the transaction. The proposed float sought to secure a $30.6 billion valuation for Firmus, a target that tripled the company's private valuation from August.

Key points

  • The planned share sale would have been the second largest initial public offering in Aust…: The planned share sale would have been the second largest initial public offering in Australian corporate history.
  • Regulators have directly engaged with joint lead managers including JPMorgan, Bank of Ame…: Regulators have directly engaged with joint lead managers including JPMorgan, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Morgans.
  • The listing was completely abandoned on October 9 after the company failed to attract suf…: The listing was completely abandoned on October 9 after the company failed to attract sufficient investor demand.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Australia's corporate regulator probing failed $5 billion Firmus IPO

SYDNEY, Oct 29 : Australia's corporate regulator said on Thursday it was probing the failed $5 billion initial public offering of AI data centre operator Firmus.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Chair Sarah Court said the regulator was yet to launch an official investigation, but said it had engaged with the banks leading the share sale.

Firmus' planned IPO, due to be the second largest ever in Australia, collapsed on October 9 after failing to gain enough investors backing.

The Nvidia-backed AI data center operator had planned to raise $5 billion in the IPO to value the company at $30.6 billion, triple the value achieved during a private fund raising round in August.

"I think it's fair to say that we are having a look at the broad range of issues that have been reported in the media, including engaging with the joint lead managers," Court told a hearing of Australian lawmakers.

"This was a very significant event, we understand that and we need to look at it carefully. That's what…

Finance