Amsterdam – 6 February 2015 – Shares in GrandVision N.V., the global leader in optical retail, today began trading on Euronext’s Amsterdam market, after its successful Initial Public Offering (IPO). In total approximately €1 billion was raised by the company.
GrandVision (ticker code: GVNV) is the world’s largest optical retailer with the widest geographical reach and the biggest optical retail store network. The Company serves customers on the highstreet, in commercial shopping centers and online. It operates a portfolio of 33 leading optical retail banners with over 5,600 stores in 43 countries throughout Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.
After opening, the first market price was €20.00 per share. The total market capitalization of the company at opening was over €5 billion.
Theo Kiesselbach, CEO of GrandVision, said, “We are very pleased to complete our IPO with today’s listing on Euronext. We have seen strong demand from investors who are attracted by GrandVision’s unique platform for future growth combined with strong cash flow generation. We have also been able to illustrate the passion and dedication of the many optical experts in the over 5,600 GrandVision stores as they provide high quality and affordable eye care to customers around the world. We would like to welcome our new shareholders and look forward to continuing our successful international growth story as a listed company in the years to come.”
“We congratulate GrandVision on their successful IPO,“ said Maurice van Tilburg, CEO of Euronext Amsterdam: “GrandVision’s listing will give the company access to a global investor base. We are seeing more companies turning to us to raise both debt and equity. Today alone, three new companies are holding IPOs across the Euronext markets, reinforcing our strategy as a European leading capital raising centre.”
Anne Louise Metz, Head of Listings of Euronext Amsterdam, added: “We are pleased to welcome GrandVision to our market and we look forward to supporting the company and its investors with the highest levels of service, liquidity and market quality. After hosting some of the largest and most successful IPOs in Europe last year, this transaction reaffirms Euronext’s position as the venue of choice for large multinational listings.”
GrandVision celebrated the company’s listing by having Theo Kiesselbach sound the gong which denotes the opening of trading on Euronext.