Moncler Jumps on the IPO Bandwagon: Luxury is Back!

It was announced recently that Milan based Moncler, the fashionable goose down jacket maker is seeking an IPO (initial public offering). The Italian outwear maker has filed the necessary documents for its forthcoming listing in Milan with the Italian Stock Exchange. With Prada also going public, it seems that luxury is back and the best of the best companies are taking advantage of the economic recovery / high stock prices to get premium valuations. Other recent events that highlight this was LVMH buying Bulgari for a 60% premium and Kinross selling off their remaining Harry Winston stake (btw HW is up 23% since Kinross exited their investment). The question is what or who will be bought out next... Coach? Tiffany? Lulu? Abercrombie? And can potential buyers justify paying additional premiums to current valuations? 

Moncler's company statement announced that the global coordinators of the listing are Intensa Sanpaolo's Banca IMI (also acting as a sponsor for the operation), Bank of America-Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. 

Moncler's board approved its 2010 results. The company posted a net profit of 52.2 million Euros, up 48% from 35.3 million Euros in 2009 and sales rose to 428.7 million Euros from 373.3 million Euros.

Carlyle, a US private equity fund acquired a 48% stake in Moncler in 2008.