Fervo Energy Co. reported demand for its initial public offering that exceeds available shares by more than ten times as the company moves toward pricing on Tuesday. Company executives have indicated that allocations will emphasize long-standing relationships, and investors have been advised to temper expectations on receiving shares.
The Houston, Texas-based geothermal developer has enlarged and repriced its proposed offering ahead of the pricing date. The upsized deal now consists of 70 million shares with an indicated price range of $25 to $26 per share. That represents an increase from the earlier plan to offer 55.6 million shares at $21 to $24 per share.
Concurrent with the upsized terms, the company has set a valuation target of up to $7.37 billion. The newly issued shares are scheduled to begin trading on the Nasdaq on Wednesday under the ticker FRVO.
Several major investment banks are working on the transaction, with JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp., Royal Bank of Canada and Barclays Plc named among the institutions handling the offering.
Market participants were told to expect limited allocations if demand remains as strong as reported, since management plans to prioritize existing investors and relationships when distributing shares. That guidance appears intended to caution subscribers who may not receive full allocations amid the tight demand.
Context and mechanics
The company adjusted both size and pricing in the lead-up to the pricing date, moving from a previously planned 55.6 million-share range at $21 to $24, to a larger 70 million-share range at $25 to $26. Management also published a valuation objective of as much as $7.37 billion as part of the revised offering terms.
What to watch next
- Whether the pricing on Tuesday reflects the indicated $25 to $26 range, and how that translates into the target valuation.
- How allocations are distributed once pricing is complete, given the companys stated preference for existing relationships.
- The performance of FRVO when trading begins on the Nasdaq on Wednesday.
The company and the banks involved will finalize allocations and pricing on Tuesday ahead of the Wednesday market debut.