Russian Helicopters moots Asian, US markets for IPO

Russian Helicopters is considering re-launching its postponed London and Moscow listing IPO on Asian or US markets.

The USD500 million listing for 25 per cent of the company on the London and Moscow MICEX stock exchanges was initially announced in April 2011, but was postponed indefinitely on 9 May 2011. Sources close to the company said this was due to investor concerns ranging from the Russian government's lack of transparency to the high-valuation of the company's assets.

The move to Asian or US markets from London is part of a broader trend for market listings by Russian firms away from the UK due to a difficult investor climate.

Listing in Asia would probably present a stronger option for the company, due to its close ties to public and private customers in the region.

In November 2011, a Russian Helicopters spokesperson told IHS Jane's that a re-launch would take place in 2012. However, Russian Helicopters Director General Dmitry Petrov told reporters at the HydroAviaSalon 2012 exhibition last week that the IPO would not happen until spring 2013.