Google has inched its way closer to filing and announcing its anticipated IPO (initial public offering) by chosing Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse First Boston to be joint lead underwriters. According to a Wall Street Journal report, plans surrounding Google’s IPO will more than likely be announced within the week.
The IPO is expected by indusry analysts to value Google, a six year old company, at around $20 -$25 billion.
The creators of Google -Sergey Brin and Larry Page, together hold 30% or more of the company. Other investors include venture firms Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers and Sequoia Capital along with Yahoo, a Google rival, and Time Warner’s America Online unit, also have stakes in Google, or warrants to acquire shares, obtained through partnerships in the firm. Other investors who are probably going to benefit largely from a Google IPO would be Tiger Woods, Shaquille O’Neal, Henry Kissinger and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
