* DKSH current value about 5 bln Swiss francs on Berne OTC
* No new shares being sold, only existing stock
* Major shareholder Diethelm Keller looking for partial exit
(Adds trader comment, details)
ZURICH, Feb 15 (Reuters) – DKSH, which helps companies
market and distribute their goods in Asia, plans to list on the
Swiss bourse by the end of June, in what could be the first
major initial public offering in Europe since the middle of last
year.
While DKSH is valued at around 5 billion Swiss francs ($5.4
billion) on Berne’s over-the-counter exchange, Chief Executive
Joerg Wolle would not comment on any expected valuation.
The IPO will not involve any new shares, allowing existing
shareholders to cash in part of their holdings.
European companies have put their IPO plans on ice during a
period of market volatility brought on by the euro zone debt
crisis, rather than settle for lower pricing.
Majority shareholder Diethelm Keller Holding, which owns
around 63 percent of DKSH, plans to diversify its investment
portfolio, Wolle told Reuters on Wednesday.
Peugeot family holding company FFP and fund of hedge funds
magnate Rainer-Marc Frey each owns just over 10 percent of DKSH.
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