BGC Partners Inc (NASDAQ:BGCP) wowed investors and attracted headlines with its announcement on Monday that the company would be launching a new IPO roadshow. Newmark Group, Inc., a subsidiary company owned by BGC, has launched a roadshow for an IPO of its Class A common stock, according to the company. The move sparked questions over whether BGC’s plans for expansion are over, and left investors hungrily eying its stock prices for opportunities.
Newmark ventures into the market
Newmark has already applied to list itself on NASDAQ under the “NMKR” symbol, and has already gotten a head start on generating positive press to spike investor interest ahead of its IPO. Newmark is currently aiming to release Class A common stock at around $19-22 per share, and the company intends to sell some 30 million shares at first.
BGC’s subsidiary isn’t done there, however; after its IPO, Newmark will offer its underwriters another opportunity in the form of a 30-day option to purchase up to 4 and a half million more shares at the same price of that as its IPO. The IPO could end up raking in an impressive $615 million if it goes well, a figure likely to make executives at BGC smile as it lures in more investors willing to back the company’s future in the market. Ultimately, Newmark could end up commanding a market valuation of an impressive $3.3 billion, enough money to entertain prospects of future acquisitions.
BGC Partners have already proven in the past that they’re not afraid to shy away from some truly colossal investments, after all. The company previously acquired the entirety of Berkeley Point Financial from Cantor Fitzgerald, who coincidentally will be one of the Newmark Group’s underwriters in its IPO. The deal cost BGC some $875 million, showing that the company isn’t afraid to put up some serious capital in pursuit of its long-term ambitions.
Newmark isn’t only joined by its former BGC Partner Cantor Fitzgerald, either; Citigroup (NYSE:C), BofA Merrill Lynch, and Goldman Sachs & Co (NYSE:GS). will be acting as joint book-running managers for the IPO, too. Investors will be concerned about the company’s short-term prospects, however, a problem which shouldn’t be too hard to overcome given Newmark’s recent performances.
Inspiring long-term confidence
For Newmark to attract shareholders, it may not have to do much more than keep posting healthy results. The company booked some $1.5 billion in revenue in the 12 months ended September 30th, 2017, for instance, and its forthcoming official pricing next week will likely be high due to the company’s success.
BGC itself has enjoyed an extraordinarily lucrative 2017 thus far, too, and investors who are worried that the company’s subsidiary won’t be able to live up to the hype are likely vesting their fears in the wrong place. As BGC’s stocks continue to climb to new heights, more investors will dive in after the fact, meaning those looking to cash in on the Newmark Group’s future success should move immediately.
BGC’s established record in the commercial real estate market is likely to alleviate concerns the company is on over its head, too; by tapping into the experience and know-how of its parent company, Groww.in, itself an aspiring full-service commercial real estate business, could inspire long-term confidence in the company and recruit financial followers of its own. With investors already abuzz about BGC’s recent third quarter financial results, the company could leverage its current status as a trusted performer to buoy Newmark’s initial performances in the market. With an impressive 12.5% growth in Q3 revenues from 2016 to 2017, few investors have reason to doubt BGC Partner’s competence. The only question that remains now is whether its new venture in the form of Newmark stands the market’s test, and can inspire a few investors who aren’t already onboard to get behind the company. Investors would be wise to give credit where it’s due, and place their bets on Newmark; the world of commercial real estate just got a new player, and it’s here to make a profit.