Parthus shares to arrive on Nasdaq market on Friday

Parthus Technologies, the Dublin-based chip designer formerly known as Silicon Systems, is to begin trading on the US Nasdaq …

Parthus Technologies, the Dublin-based chip designer formerly known as Silicon Systems, is to begin trading on the US Nasdaq and London stock exchanges on Friday.

It is understood the company is on schedule for the planned flotation, and will not need to use additional time set aside for possible delays.

The roadshow is expected to conclude on Thursday night, when the opening trading price will be set.

Parthus expects to raise up to $170 million (€187 million) from the placing of 20 to 25 per cent of the company's stock, valuing the firm at in excess of $600 million.

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The firm plans to offer 130 million shares in the form of ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares (ADS). The estimated price range is between 70 and 85 pence sterling per ordinary share and between $10.91 and $13.25 for each ADS, representing 10 ordinary shares.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs is acting as global co-ordinator, bookrunner and sponsor to the initial public offering. Goldman Sachs took a 23 per cent stake in Parthus in late 1998.

Parthus develops semiconductor intellectual property for the mobile commerce market. It has already developed silicon chips and software to run a wide range of applications, including broadband Internet access, voice and data transmission, the MP3 digital music system, and the global positioning system.

Parthus's planned flotation has generated a lot of investor interest, and will be restricted initially to institutional investors. It is understood the allocation for Irish institutions, which will be handled by Davy Stockbrokers, will be very limited.

Madeleine Lyons

Madeleine Lyons

Madeleine Lyons is Property Editor of The Irish Times