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Southwest Gas unit Centuri jumps in strong market debut

Shares of Centuri Holdings , the freshly spunoff unit of Southwest Gas Holdings , leapt in their market launching on Thursday, in another sign of a revival in need for new stocks.

Centuri, which develops and maintains energy networks across the United States and Canada, sold 12.4 million shares at $21. each, at the top of the marketplace variety, on Wednesday to raise. $ 260.4 million in its initial public offering.

Centuri shares at first rose to $23.75, valuing the company. at about $2.06 billion. As of 3.15 p.m. ET, they were up 11% at. $ 23.31.

The third-largest utility providers in North. America, Centuri sees significant demand for its company as. power facilities is modernized and changed as part of the. clean energy transition, Chief Executive Bill Fehrman said in an. interview.

As we press to update the grid in this country, and the. pipeline system, we're distinctively qualified to do that, stated. Fehrman, who joined Centuri in January after heading Berkshire. Hathaway's energy business for 5 years.

As an independent business, Centuri can pursue additional. growth chances, including outside of the managed energy. market, Fehrman added.

Centuri was spun off after Southwest Gas faced pressure. in recent years from activist investors including Carl Icahn. and Corvex Management to revamp its service.

Southwest Gas first mooted Centuri's separation in 2022. and worked to develop the very best approach for doing that, as well. as the best timing. It will at first hold more than 80% of. Centuri, however is expected to reduce its stake in time.

After a two-year drought, U.S. IPOs are gradually. returning in 2024 on firming bets of a soft landing for the. economy and a broad equity markets rally.

IPO proceeds will be used to minimize Centuri's debt. As. it went public, Centuri offered about 2.6 million shares to Icahn. to raise another $54.4 million.

UBS Financial Investment Bank, BofA Securities and J.P. Morgan were. lead underwriters on the offering.

(source: Reuters)