On July 14, 2006, Rosneft completed the Initial Public Offering, and its shares started selling on the London Stock Exchange and on the Russian venues of RTS and MICEX. In the landmark USD 10.7 bln. IPO, a total of 1,411 mln. shares were placed, including 1,126 mln. shares held by OJSC Rosneftegaz and 285 mln. newly issued shares — the largest IPO completed to date in Russia and the fifth largest ever worldwide. Rosneft’s market capitalization at the IPO was USD 79.8 bln., the second largest for any Russian company.
At USD 7.55 per share or GDR, the offer priced near the top of the USD 5.85–7.85 indicative range reflecting strong demand from all interested parties, particularly from retail Investorsors. During the IPO, more than 150,000 Russians Investorsed over USD 750 mln. in aggregate to become Rosneft shareholders. Rosneft’s offering was also widely welcomed by major international institutions and strategic Investorsors, an indication of the market’s confidence in the Company’s strong development potential. As a result of the IPO, the Russian Government’s stake in Rosneft decreased to 75.2%.
The IPO was instrumental in optimizing the financing of Rosneft’s sustainable development strategy. Additionally, closer ties with global industry leaders, the Company’s strategic Investorsors, will bring a wealth of experience and further opportunities for innovative development. Finally, the IPO will facilitate interaction with leading international and domestic institutional Investorsors, which is crucial for the Company’s transition into a global oil and gas supermajor exhibiting the highest standards of corporate governance.
ROSNEFT Prospectus, 6,45 Mb