|
????團購網站Groupon公司這兩天將向其180萬定戶發放新一期的優惠券，訂戶有機會買到從郵購巧克力糕餅到攀巖課在內形形色色的商品和服務。但是，有一樣東西Groupon迄今還沒能賣出去的：那就是它自己。 ????《華爾街日報》（The Wall Street Journal）周二報道稱，這家總部位于芝加哥的公司在三個月前首次發布7.5億美元的募資計劃后，目前正在“重新評估”其首次公開募股計劃。更具體地說，它已經取消了原定于下周舉行的公開路演，并正在“以周為周期”重新評估其上市時機。 ????據稱，這一計劃擱淺部分要歸咎于股市行情的波動，尤其是歐洲股市的動蕩。但是，更嚴重的問題可能來自于美國證券交易委員會（SEC）對Groupon公司首席執行官安德魯?梅森近期所發一封電子郵件進行的調查。梅森在這封寫給公司員工的信中反駁了媒體的負面報道。這封郵件遭遇泄密——梅森對此一定早有預料——導致公司違反了證券交易委員會對此類“公開”信息交流的禁令，但這一說法也不無爭議。 ????今天早些時候，我提出觀點，建議證券交易委員會取消針對Groupon等處于上市準備階段公司的靜默期規定。證券交易委員正在就現行法規征求公眾意見，也許我會提交我的這個建議。 ????話說回來，現行規定就是……嗯，就是規定。如果違反規定，就不會有好下場。對Groupon來說，它意味著IPO無限期延后。我當然不相信這起IPO會流產，華爾街那些銀行都還等著從這起上市中大賺一筆呢。再說，Groupon已經拒絕了谷歌公司（Google）60億美元的收購提議，很難想象它會重回并購市場（有人告訴我，收購失敗部分原因是雙方沒能就交易用現金還是股票的問題達成一致）。 ????不管怎么說，正如Groupon自己說，我們還是等著瞧吧…… ????最新消息：熟悉進展的消息人士透露，《華爾街日報》的報道并不準確。麻煩多挖出些細節吧…… ????譯者：清遠 |
????Groupon tomorrow will send out new daily deals to its 1.8 million subscribers, offering them the chance to buy everything from mail-order brownies to rock-climbing lessons. But it seems there is one thing Groupon still isn't able to sell: Itself. ????The Wall Street Journal today reports that the Chicago-based company is "reevaluating" its IPO plans, three months after first filing for a $750 million offering. More specifically, it has canceled next week's planned roadshow and is reassessing its timing on a "week by week basis." ????Part of the delay reportedly is due to volatility in the public equities markets, particularly in Europe. A bigger issue, however, is likely an SEC inquiry into a recent email that Groupon CEO Andrew Mason sent to company employees to rebut negative press coverage. The email was leaked -- as Mason must have known would happen -- and arguably violates the SEC's prohibition on such "public" communications. ????Earlier today, I argued that the SEC should simply eliminate its quiet period rules for pre-IPO companies -- like Groupon. And maybe I'll submit it under today's blanket request for comment on existing regulations. ????At the same time, however, the current rules are... well, they're the rules. If you don't follow them, bad things can happen. For Groupon, that means an indefinite IPO delay. I don't happen to believe there will be a cancellation, particularly given how much money virtually every Wall Street bank stands to make on the offering. Plus, it's hard to imagine Groupon re-enters the acquisition market, after having rebuffed Google's $6 billion offer (due, in part, to a cash vs. stock issue, I'm told). ????But, as Groupon is saying, let's wait and see... ????UPDATE: Source familiar with the situation says that the WSJ story is inaccurate. Trying to get more details... |
最新文章