McAleese moves to test the market despite crash
A month after McAleese postponed plans to float the business, brokers on Friday began trying to sell 113.1 million new shares in McAleese to institutional investors at $1.47 each. The latest offer is at an 11 per cent discount to the $1.65 a share McAleese was priced at in a preliminary prospectus circulated last month.
But new shareholders will not be laboured with the potential liability from the accident last month, and subsequent grounding of 89 tankers in its oil-hauling business Cootes Transport in NSW and Victoria.
In the wake of a raft of initial public offerings, the transport company seems keen to test the market now while conditions remain favourable rather than take a risk in waiting until after Christmas.
McAleese will begin trading on the ASX on December 2 with a market capitalisation of $421 million. More than half the company will remain in the hands of its existing owners, including Mr Rowsthorn.
While the crash will weigh on the company's public profile, fund managers emphasised McAleese's strong management team. Mr Rowsthorn has poached executives from the ports and rail company Asciano, where he was chief executive until early 2011. "From a management perspective, it looks well resourced," Legg Mason fund manager Andrew Chambers said.
Wilson Asset Management's Geoff Wilson said his firm would look to become shareholders in McAleese because it had an "extremely competent management", and was a "leverage play in an improving economy".
Mr Wilson said the impact of the crash was likely to be a short-term hit on McAleese's profit but "it doesn't inhibit the potential growth outlook" for the transport company.
Two people were killed and five injured early last month when one of Cootes' fuel tankers crashed on Sydney's northern beaches.
The cause of the accident is not expected to be known for weeks.
The institutional bookbuild closes on Monday, while McAleese's prospectus will be released later in the week.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
McAleese Transport is aiming to raise $166 million from large investors as part of its renewed bid to test the market.
McAleese Transport, chaired by Mark Rowsthorn, is attempting to raise $166 million from large investors despite dealing with the aftermath of a fatal fuel-tanker crash.
The shares are being offered at an 11% discount to attract institutional investors, priced at $1.47 each compared to the $1.65 per share in the preliminary prospectus.
McAleese is offering shares at an 11% discount to attract institutional investors, pricing them at $1.47 each compared to the $1.65 per share in their preliminary prospectus.
No, new shareholders will not be burdened with potential liabilities from the recent accident involving Cootes Transport's fuel tanker.
No, new shareholders will not be burdened with potential liabilities from the recent accident involving Cootes Transport's fuel tanker.
McAleese Transport is set to begin trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on December 2.
McAleese is set to begin trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on December 2, with a market capitalization of $421 million.
More than half of McAleese Transport will remain in the hands of its existing owners, including Mark Rowsthorn.
Investors view McAleese's management as strong and well-resourced, with executives poached from Asciano, a ports and rail company.
While the crash may affect short-term profits, it is not expected to inhibit McAleese Transport's potential growth outlook.
While the crash may cause a short-term hit on profits, it is not expected to inhibit McAleese's potential growth outlook.
McAleese Transport's management team is considered strong, with executives poached from Asciano, and is described as well-resourced and extremely competent.
McAleese is keen to test the market now while conditions are favorable, rather than risk waiting until after Christmas.
The cause of the Cootes fuel tanker crash is still under investigation, and results are not expected for several weeks.
The accident involved a Cootes Transport fuel tanker crash on Sydney's northern beaches, resulting in two fatalities and five injuries. The cause is still under investigation.
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