German Internet Service Provider (ISP)
United Internet AG is considering an IPO. The company, which has headquarters in Montabaur, Rhineland-Palatinate, is Germany and Europe's foremost ISP. Sales for the group are forecast to be around €3.7 billion ($4.13 billion) in 2015.
The company offers a number of web hosting brands including 1&1, GMX, Web.de, Mailcom, Arsys Fasthosts, InterNetX and United Domains. It has been trading on the TecDAX since 2003. The aim of a possible flotation would be to generate funds to acquire new businesses.
United Internet AG has been investing heavily in Internet and technology companies, buying shares in Rocket Internet (a venture capital group) and Versatel (a cable company) recently. Its most recent web hosting acquisitions have been InterNetX, Sedo, Fasthosts, and the most recent, Polish provider home.pl.
"Separate access to the capital market and Applications shares as an additional acquisition currency would make it easier to fund takeovers from equity," explained Ralph Dommermuth, the company's Chief Executive, in a statement. Should it decide to go ahead with an IPO, it will occur in around 2 years.
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