US suitcase maker Samsonite International hopes to raise about US$1.5 billion from an initial public offering in Hong Kong on June 16, the South China Morning Post reported. It is the latest in a line of foreign retailers planning to list in Hong Kong over the coming months, including Italian fashion firm Prada SpA. According to a pre-listing document posted on the Hong Kong stock exchange, Samsonite’s net sales in Asia rose 45.1% last year from 2009 – accounting for a third of total sales and making it Samsonite’s most profitable region. The offering has been priced at HK$13.50-17.50 (US$1.74-2.25) per share, and 671.24 million shares will be sold. More than 80% of the net proceeds will be used to pay off debt.
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