Wotif.com has successfully raised $172 million from institutional and retail investors, in its Initial Public Offering (IPO), placing 85.984 million shares at a placing price of $2.00 per share.
The company will have a market capitalisation of approximately $406.4 million at the offer price.

Commenting on the completion of the offer Wotif.com CEO, Graeme Wood, stated: “The listing process has been an educational experience, during which time we have held discussions with more than 100 financial institutions.

“It is very interesting to see the business through the eyes of the professional investor, and we are delighted with the response.”

The net proceeds raised from the sale of the shares under the offer will be paid to the Vendor Shareholders in respect of their sell down proportions.

Wotif.com shares are expected to commence trading on the ASX on Friday 2 June at 12.00 noon EST*, initially on a conditional and deferred settlement basis, under the ASX code of ‘WTF’.

Conditional trading will continue until Wotif.com has advised ASX that institutional settlement of the offer has occurred, which is expected to be prior to 10.00am on 7 June 2006. The period of deferred settlement trading will continue until despatch of CHESS holding statements, which is expected to occur on 7 June 2006.

Valid applications by Broker Firm Applicants have been accepted in full, subject to the size of each broker’s overall firm allocation. Broker Firm Applicants should confirm their allocations with their advisor.

Valid applications under the Priority Offer have been accepted in full. Applicants under the Priority Offer should confirm their allocations by telephoning the Wotif.com Share Offer Information Line on 1800 264 715.

Applications received after the close of the offer, or applications accompanied by cheques that were subsequently dishonoured, have not been allocated any Wotif.com shares.

Applications by members of the general public that were not part of the broker firm offer or priority offer have not been allocated any shares and their cheques have been returned in full.

Successful institutional applicants have been advised of their allocations by the Joint Lead Managers - Macquarie Equity Capital Markets Limited and ABN AMRO Morgans Corporate Limited.

All applicants are responsible for determining and confirming the number of shares allocated to them prior to selling any shares. Applicants who sell Wotif.com shares before receiving their allotment confirmation do so at their own risk.
——-