Food maker Monde Nissin Corp has received approval from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) for its planned
initial public offering (IPO) that could raise 63 billion pesos ($1.3 billion) in what will be the country’s largest-ever
listing.
The PSE approval came a day after Monde Nissin, which makes the best-selling Lucky Me! instant noodles in the
Philippines and meat alternative Quorn in the UK, received pre-effective approval from the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC).
In its registration statement with the SEC, the company said it is offering 3.6 billion shares at 17.50 pesos each. The
final price will be determined on May 18 while the offer period is scheduled on May 24 to 28.
“The timing of the offer, final offer price, the final number of offer shares, and allocation of the proceeds will depend
on market conditions, the circumstances surrounding the offer, and will be subject to favorably securing the
necessary regulatory approvals,” Monde Nissin earlier said.
The P63-billion gross proceeds exclude the proceeds from the exercise of an over-allotment option of up to 15% of
the shares being offered, the company disclosed.
IPO proceeds will be used for the expansion and enhancement of its production and technological capacities,
including its businesses in the UK and other key markets.
The proposed Monde Nissin IPO will be bigger than the total of about $809 million raised in the Philippines market
from four listings in 2020.
In Philippine filings, IPO prices are typically set far above final selling prices. Underwriting discounts and
commissions, and other offering expenses payable by Monde Nissin are expected to be deducted from the gross
proceeds.
Aside from Lucky Me! noodles, Monde Nissin’s brand portfolio includes SkyFlakes crackers, Fita crackers, and
Monde baked goods. The listing also comes nearly six years after the company acquired alternative meat maker
Quorn in the United Kingdom for $831 million in what was considered a big-ticket deal from the Philippines.
“We are excited about the prospect of becoming a global public company and believe that Monde Nissin provides a
compelling investment opportunity,” the company said.
Monde Nissin’s IPO is one of the as many as seven listings lined up to launch on the PSE this year. Together, they
could raise a record amount of over $3.3 billion, surpassing the total of $2.7 billion raised in the archipelago from
2016 to 2020.
National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the local transmission operator partly owned by the State Grid
Corporation of China, is also taking steps to push through its long-delayed IPO that would garner about $1 billion.
Analysts, however, said achieving the target may be a tall task as it would depend on several factors, including vaccine
distribution and economic recovery.
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