Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 3/25/14


Smithfield Foods parent WH Group (formerly Shuanghui International) is expected to apply on Thursday for an initial public offering, paving the way for a late April or May IPO, people familiar with the plan told the South China Morning Post.

The firm was initially scheduled to apply with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in January, but delayed the application, partly because of the weak market sentiment at the time, the SCMP reported.

If successful, the company aims to raise about $6 billion on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.  Existing shareholders include early investors CDH Investments, Goldman Sachs, New Horizon Capital and Temasek.

Shuanghui International purchased Smithfield last year for $4.7 in cash and assumption of debt.

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