Tokyo Metro set to raise $2.3 bln in Japan’s biggest IPO in 6 years, sources say

TOKYO, Oct 15 (Reuters) – Tokyo Metro (9023.T), opens new tab is expected to raise 348.6 billion yen ($2.3 billion) after pricing its initial public offering at the top end of its range, according to two sources familiar with the matter, in the largest IPO in Japan for six years.

The IPO was more than 15 times oversubscribed, said the sources, with the firm’s dividend yield seen as an attractive proposition by many including retail investors drawn to a household name.

The company has priced the shares at 1,200 yen apiece, compared with a range of 1,100 to 1,200 yen, according to the sources, who declined to be named as the information is not public.

The portion available to retail investors, accounting for almost four-fifths of the total, was around 10 times oversubscribed, the sources said.

The shares available to domestic and foreign institutional investors, accounting for 1.5% and 20% respectively, were more than 20 and 30 times oversubscribed, the sources said.

Tokyo Metro declined to comment.

One of Tokyo’s two major subway operators, the company is set to announce the pricing later on Tuesday and list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Oct. 23.

The price gives Tokyo Metro a dividend yield of 3.3% based on its forecast dividend of 40 yen per share for the financial year ending March 2025.

“That stands out compared to other private and JR railways,” said Kazumi Tanaka, an analyst at DZH Financial Research.

“In addition to the stability of the railway business, we can expect growth from increased inbound traffic,” he added.

The central government, which owns 53.4% of Tokyo Metro, and the Tokyo government, which holds the remaining 46.6%, are selling half of their shares in the IPO.

Tokyo Metro, the largest Japan IPO since SoftBank Group (9984.T), listed its telecoms unit in late 2018, is joined by Rigaku, a Carlyle Group-backed maker of X-ray testing tools, which is also planning an IPO in October.

Bain Capital has scrapped a plan for an IPO of chipmaker Kioxia this month after investors pushed for a lower valuation than the buyout firm was targeting, Reuters has reported.

($1 = 149.7900 yen)