Maersk mulls launch of second share sale

AP MOLLER-MAERSK is considering a second bond sale after discussions with investors, sources told Bloomberg.

The report said Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas, Danske Bank A/S, HSBC Holdings Plc and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc are arranging the meetings, according to two people with knowledge of the possible sale that has not been made officially public yet.

"We are having a series of meetings with investors to explore a possible bond issue, which is nothing extraordinary," said Michael Storgaard, a spokesman for Maersk. "We want to diversify our sources of financing, and bonds are an option," he said.

Maersk sold bonds for the first time last year and held the biggest share sale in its 106-year history and the company has raised its full-year 2010 profit forecast for the third time in four months as freight rates and trade volumes recover.

Maersk's third-quarter profit before interest and taxes almost tripled to DKK17 billion (US$3.1 billion). The company forecasts its net profit before minority interests will hit $5 billion this year, up from an August projection of more than $4 billion.
(Source:www.schednet.com)