So it's official - William launches as a PLC (ish)
Discussion
autosport said:
Williams goes ahead with flotation
Williams has announced that it is to go ahead with a stock market flotation, launching an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Interesting - I am wondering, ohw many people want a share just for the investor information pack? i'd love to see the inner workings of an F1 team.Williams has announced that it is to go ahead with a stock market flotation, launching an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Outside of thet, it makes sence - FW is not getting any younger, he doesn't have a son and heir type lined up, and Williams (technology side) is ripe for corporate plunder. I do wonder if maybe Herr. porsche-VAG might want to buy a lot of shares to get Flybrid?
I thought he did have a son? But he hasn't really taken control of the company if that's what you mean.
Will be an interesting model to follow. If it's successful then it might provide new financial security to all types of motorsport series.
Will be an interesting model to follow. If it's successful then it might provide new financial security to all types of motorsport series.
Edited by zac510 on Friday 4th February 22:08
Looks like a poor investment to me. Odd as to why they offer on the German small companies exchange where liquidity is dire and the yield will be zero regarding dividends.
Not a wise return on investment and why he did not sell a share to a major car company is beyond me....just wait until 2013 when all the manufacturers will be fighting to get back into the sport.
Not a wise return on investment and why he did not sell a share to a major car company is beyond me....just wait until 2013 when all the manufacturers will be fighting to get back into the sport.
I'm still struggling to understand where the return on investment is.
That said, I think owning a bit of Williams would be enough for me.
There has been a lot of interesting whispering going on around the deal in the media.
Perhaps someone learned here can explain to me why the transaction is being handled by a small(?)Swiss bank and not a British one? (Sorry - clueless about this sort of stuff)
That said, I think owning a bit of Williams would be enough for me.
There has been a lot of interesting whispering going on around the deal in the media.
Perhaps someone learned here can explain to me why the transaction is being handled by a small(?)Swiss bank and not a British one? (Sorry - clueless about this sort of stuff)
[AJ] said:
Williams are very much expecting large corporations to be their main buyers. Motorsport fans will only account for a very small percentage. Adam Parr also knows a few 'regular people' happy to chuck £10m in for a slice of the pie.
If so, they chose the wrong bank to do the deal.
I mean no disrespect towards them, but Bank am Bellevue is a peanut in that business.
http://www.conferencezurich.ch/media/conference_zu...
It appears that almost all their distribution is in Switzerland. There is a lot of money managed out of Switz., but it's all private banking stuff. There is zero natural audience in Switz. to buy the shares of a British motor racing company. The opportunity to get a better price on the basis of sentimental fan "investors" is nil.
Also, IMO there is no way that Williams is going to raise big money via this flotation. They have valuable physical assets, some intangible value in the brand, some value for the projected cash flow, but 27% of that number will be, by flotation standards, small beer.
It's possible that they chose Switzerland/F'furt listing because the reporting requirements are lighter over there. Otherwise, the venue seems an odd choice, and Bank am Bellevue a very odd choice.
Without wishing to be a sceptic.
I think we should be asking "what do williams want from this" not "what do public shareholders want"
They (Frank et al) want to retain control.
Most companies, in an ideal world, would prefer a few big shareholders as they are easier to manage, they tend to be longer term investors, you are less exposed to short term speculation/short sellers - and can be less exposed to day trading spikes and issues.
Google took this model - they only sold to institutional groups?
I think they know what they are doing, they know enough people in the city to take good advice - not least through Bernies connections. I suspect this has more to do with tax efficiencies and a few key shareholders that have already been identified and are being managed by a niche bank, no doubt with some side advice as part of the deal team.
This isn't a penny stock flotation on AIM.
Just my view.
I think we should be asking "what do williams want from this" not "what do public shareholders want"
They (Frank et al) want to retain control.
Most companies, in an ideal world, would prefer a few big shareholders as they are easier to manage, they tend to be longer term investors, you are less exposed to short term speculation/short sellers - and can be less exposed to day trading spikes and issues.
Google took this model - they only sold to institutional groups?
I think they know what they are doing, they know enough people in the city to take good advice - not least through Bernies connections. I suspect this has more to do with tax efficiencies and a few key shareholders that have already been identified and are being managed by a niche bank, no doubt with some side advice as part of the deal team.
This isn't a penny stock flotation on AIM.
Just my view.
I know nothing about these things so this could be hogwash, but this Guardian article might help explain things:
Article said:
...But the operation found that it would not be able to have its shares listed in London as it was not able to meet the requirements demanded by regulators who wanted contract details to be disclosed to investors.
But by listing in Frankfurt, Williams Grand Prix Holdings, the business being floated, will be able to comply with demands set out by the Formula One management that prevent publication of arrangements over fees as well as the so-called Concorde Agreement that sets out the terms under which television and prize money are split between teams...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/feb/04/williams-formula-one-team-float-stock-marketBut by listing in Frankfurt, Williams Grand Prix Holdings, the business being floated, will be able to comply with demands set out by the Formula One management that prevent publication of arrangements over fees as well as the so-called Concorde Agreement that sets out the terms under which television and prize money are split between teams...
R500POP said:
So how can I buy some, I want in.
Likewise, 24-29Euro/share and a value of approx 265million Euro.If I bought 2 shares then I'd own 0.000000754% of Williams F1 team!
In all seriousness, I know nothing about the world of shares, are there any implications with buying some shares in a company like this, in this manner? What happens if and when you want out?
Cyder said:
R500POP said:
So how can I buy some, I want in.
Likewise, 24-29Euro/share and a value of approx 265million Euro.If I bought 2 shares then I'd own 0.000000754% of Williams F1 team!
In all seriousness, I know nothing about the world of shares, are there any implications with buying some shares in a company like this, in this manner? What happens if and when you want out?
using your example as a case in point though, if you did buy 2 shares at, say £25 each then you'd have spent £50. You add on a trading fee, which vary, but could be upto £20. You have therefore spend £70. In order to even get your money back you'd need the share price to go up by at least 30-40%!
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