RealD rides 3D wave to raise $200 mn via IPO

RealD rides 3D wave to raise $200 mn via IPO

MUMBAI: In what has given a boost to technology stocks, RealD Inc, the global licensor of 3D technologies, has raised $200 million from its initial public offering (IPO).

The company sold 12.5 million shares at $16 each, much above the expected range of $13-$15.
 
This is the first time that a company which licenses 3D technology used in projection systems and consumer electronics has gone public.

RealD expects to pay off some debt and provide capital for future investments with the IPO proceeds.

RealD’s clients are major theater chains like AMC, Cinemark and Regal, which use RealD digital projectors and glasses for 3-D movie showings.
The company charges a per-attendee license fee to those chains to use its technology, which is currently installed on more than 6,000 movie screens. 
 
J.P. Morgan Securities and Piper Jaffray & Co. acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. William Blair & Company acted as co-lead manager, and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated and BMO Capital Markets Corp were co-managers of the offer.

Hollywood has seen the success of a wave of 3D movies including Avatar. RealD hopes to tap into this rapidly expanding 3D market.