| IPO deals hit feverish pace
Fast and furious week lies ahead NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- The deals will flow quickly for initial public offerings this week, expected to be the most active of the month with about 27 expected "It looks like a lot more than that this week," said Gary James, analyst
with CommScan Analytics EquiDesk. "It's gonna be real busy."
If the market doesn't tank, the activity will top last week's 18 IPOs by a hefty margin, James said. Williams Weighing in at the top of the scale is fiber optics specialist Williams Communications Group (WCG: news, msgs), a unit of utility giant Williams Companies (WMG: news, msgs). Backed with investments from SBC Communications, Intel and Telefonos de Mexico, it's in line to raise a maximum of $783 million with lead underwriter Foundry With the Nasdaq posting strong gains on Monday, the already strong IPO for Foundry Networks will no doubt get a boost. Foundry Networks (FDRY: news, msgs), which sells equipment for Internet networks and other businesses, boosted the price of its IPO by more than 50 percent. Originally $14 to $16, the company boosted its range to $22 to $24. Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown is the lead underwriter. Foundry, a Renaissance Capital (IPOSX: news, msgs) Pick of the Week, is one of the few Web IPOs to show a profit. Calico Software Calico Software (CLIC: news, msgs), an e-commerce specialist, is expected to price Monday night for a Tuesday debut. Demand for the company is strong, as shown by its move to increase its price range to $16 to $18 from $12 to $14 on Monday. Calico is in line to raise $51 million with Goldman Sachs as the lead underwriter. Also on cue is Acme Communications (ACME: news, msgs), a group of TV stations led by Jamie Kellner, founder of the WB Network. Acme plans to raise a maximum of $121 million by selling 5 million shares at a range of $19 to $21 per share. Online flower seller FTD.com (EFTD: news, msgs) will take another shot at its $77 million IPO this week. The company postponed plans in August after the IPO market dried up in the fact of its competitor, 1-800-Flowers (FLWS: news, msgs). Online medical site Medscape (MSCP: news, msgs) is set to raise $53 million with lead underwriter Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Among the company's investors is CBS, which plans to sponsor a new medical information Web site with Medscape. Alteon Websystems Alteon Websystems (ATON: news, msgs)saw its shares skyrocket another 50 percent on Monday, on top of its nearly 300 percent gain on its debut on Friday. The company now has a market cap of $1.4 billion. The stock went public at a price of 19. On Monday, it rose 37 1/8 to 112 1/16. Net Zero (NZRO: news, msgs) fell 3 13/16 to 25 5/16. Fogdog IPO Redwood City, Calif-based Fogdog (FOGD: news, msgs), filed for an $60 million IPO on the heels of a deal with Nike (NKE: news, msgs). The Nike deal will allow Fogdog to sell the athletic wear juggernaut's entire line of shoes and other merchandise. It's an exclusive deal and a major coup for the brand. Nike had previously refused to market its gear online for fear of competing
with its own Nike.com Web site. See
related story.
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