Next week’s IPOs will bring a return of Linux mania.
Caldera Systems manufactures software products, specialized servers and
Internet access devices designed specifically businesses. In 1999,
the company’s OpenLinux technology received Linux Journal’s Product of the
Year award at Comdex and Network Computing’s Well-Connected Award for Best Network
Operating System.
The proposed ticker symbol is CALD. Robertson Stephens is the lead
underwriter for the 5 million share offer. The price range is $7 to $9.
FairMarket offers a private-label online auction solution on a central
system. This helps businesses to have custom-branded Internet auction sites without
making a significant investment in technology and staff. Think of it as an
auction ASP (application service provider).
FairMarket’s total revenues went from $3,784 in 1998 to an $2.1 million in
1999.
True, the 1999 revenues seem small. Then again, the company has top
customers using their system, such as CompUSA, SportsLine.com, and
Internet portal sites, such as MSN.com, Excite@Home and Lycos. Media
Metrix
estimates that user traffic across the main web sites of their portal
customers is over 40 million users per month.
Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown is the lead underwriter. The proposed ticker
symbol
is FAIM. The price range is $9 to $11 for the 5 million share offer.
Expect lots of noise from Loudeye Technologies, headquartered in Seattle,
Washington. The company provides Internet
services and applications for media, entertainment and enterprise markets.
Their solution makes it easier to deliver audio and video content over the
Web. Some of their customers include BMG Music, Disney Enterprises, Inc.,
and
Sony Music Entertainment.
The lead underwriter is Robertson Stephens. The price range is $8 to $10
and
the offering is for 4.5 million shares. The proposed ticker symbol is
LOUD.
Universal Access is Chicago-based and is a Web business-to-business,
telecommunications company that buys and sells unused network capacity.
They
also provide network management services, including network monitoring,
maintenance and restoration.
Goldman, Sachs is the lead underwriter. The proposed ticker symbol is
UAXS.
The offering is for 11 million shares and the price range is $8 to $10.
Sunday Communications is based in Hong Kong and is a wireless
communication and Internet services provider. With foreign IPOs doing
especially well – such as those based in Asia – Sunday Communications will
not be resting on its IPO debut.
Credit Suisse First Boston is the lead underwriter on this 23 million
offering. SDAY is the proposed ticker symbol and the price range is $12 to
$14.
Lastminute.com, a London-based company, offers last minute airline tickets,
hotel rooms, gifts and other items for consumers in the United Kingdom,
France, Germany and Sweden. Apparently, it is a very popular site in
Europe and should also have a popular IPO for investors.
The lead underwriter is Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and the proposed ticker
symbol is LMIN. The price range is $25 to $30.
