Internet marketer QuinStreet viewed as beacon of hope in otherwise ‘lousy’ market for IPOs

more images

more images

QuinStreet beacon of hope in ‘lousy’ IPO market

NEW YORK — QuinStreet Corp., an Internet marketer that competes with Yahoo and Google, is the one beacon of hope in this week’s crop of initial public offerings as the market contends with jitters spurred by concerns about the economy, and IPOs from companies with more than their fair share of debt.

QuinStreet, of Foster City, Calif., sells pay-per-click advertising for financial firms and for-profit education companies. Sales have more than doubled since 2005, and analysts predict revenue will continue to grow as technology allows for targeted advertising through digital television. It hopes to raise $180 million by selling 10 million shares between $17 and $19.

Beyond QuinStreet, things don’t look so hot. At least two of the companies are carrying a lot of debt. Another one, out of China, may not do well because the once hot Chinese IPO- sector hasn’t performed as well as many investors hoped.

Making matters worse, the IPO market is already on shaky footing. Last week, two IPOs were postponed as the Dow Jones industrial average fell to its lowest levels of the year. Investors are worried about debt-strapped European countries, a slowdown in Chinese bank lending and high U.S. joblessness.

“The continuation of the market malaise is further hindering the possibility of any IPOs having a fair shot, as there is extremely little speculative money in the market right now,” said Scott Sweet, senior managing partner at IPO research firm IPO Boutique. “It’s a very, very tough time, especially as all of those coming up (this) week look potentially dangerous.”

The largest IPO in this week’s group is Graham Packing Co., a supplier of plastic containers. Graham, majority-owned by New York-based private equity firm Blackstone Group, plans to raise $350 million by offering 23.3 million shares for $14 to $16. But with $2.4 billion in debt, it’s likely the price will get cut, Sweet said.

Also expected this week: Film Department Holdings Inc., an independent motion picture finance and production company planning to raise $85 million by selling 6.5 million shares for $12 to $14; Generac Holdings Inc., a maker of portable and standby generators, hoping to raise $325 million by offering 20.3 million shares for $15 to $17; China-based manufacturer JinkoSolar Holding Co., which hopes to raise $74 million by offering 10.6 million shares for $6 to $8; and real estate investment trust Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc., looking to raise $306 million with an offering of 18 million shares at $16 to $18.

A holdover from last week, worker’s compensation insurance provider Patriot Risk Management Inc., is also on the list. The company wants to raise about $187 million by selling 21.2 million shares at $8 apiece.

While the week could turn out to be active, most eyes remain focused on QuinStreet. It has a successful cost-per-lead advertising model that’s competitive with Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. Investors have been anticipating its debut, analysts said.

“Certainly, without a question, it’s the best deal in months,” Sweet said. “If this company struggles, underwriters have to seriously look at the pipeline and the deals they’re bringing to a market that doesn’t want any part of it.”

One of the biggest problems with the market right now, the IPO trackers said, is that competition between investment bankers has inflated offering prices.

“People are saying it’s a lousy market, but there’s a huge quantity of deals,” said Francis Gaskins, president of IPOdesktop. “The problem is that while investment banks are selling a story to these companies, it’s the individual investors who make up their own minds. If these deals were just priced reasonably, it would be a different situation.”