Siemens (NYSE:SI) is mulling the idea of a US initial public offering for its Healthineers healthcare business, according to a German newspaper which spoke to its chief exec.
The healthcare business, which Siemens rebranded last year to worldwide scorn, is the company’s most profitable unit with an estimated enterprise value of roughly €36 billion to €37 billion ($39 billion to $40 billion).
While the possibility of a US IPO is being considered, it’s not certain yet, CEO Joe Kaeser told Euro am Sonntag.
“We don’t have a final view on this yet, but we are looking at it very closely. I can imagine a future in which we give investors the opportunity to invest not just in the companies Siemens Healthineers or Siemens-Gamesa renewable energy, but also in a high-performing digital industry business.” Kaeser told the paper.
Last month, Siemen’s was reportedly ready to tap investment banks for the Healthineers IPO.
Citing “3 people close to the matter,” Reuters said the German industrial conglomerate plans to invite investment banks in early April to pitch for roles in an initial public offering. Goldman Sachs has already been asked to look after some preparatory tasks for the IPO, according to the news service.
“Goldman Sachs will very likely emerge as one of the global coordinators of the Healthineers IPO,” 1 of the sources told Reuters, adding that Healthineers would be listed in late 2017 provided equity markets were favorable.
Material from Reuters was used in this report.