Springer Nature to launch IPO next week, if markets hold -sources

By Arno Schuetze

FRANKFURT, March 2 (Reuters) - Springer Nature, the
publisher of science magazines Nature and Scientific American,
is preparing to launch its stock market listing next week, but
may delay plans if the coronavirus continues to roil markets,
people close to the matter said.

Its owners, buyout group BC Partners and publisher
Holtzbrinck, plan to send out a so-called intention to float on
March 9, with a view of listing the company in Frankfurt before
Easter, the people said.

"But they will monitor markets closely until the last minute
and it would not come as a surprise if they postpone", one of
the people said.

Another person said that so far, only companies which had
their specific markets impacted by the spread of coronavirus
were prone to cancelling a listing, but now a broader slide in
stock markets is denting overall investor appetite for IPOs.

"Right now, Springer is all set for the launch. But if
markets continue to fall if may not be the right moment", the
person said.

The deal is being organised by Goldman Sachs and
Morgan Stanley with the help of BNP Paribas,
HSBC, Barclays and Jefferies.

BC Partners, Holtzbrinck and the banks declined to comment
or were not immediately available for comment.
(Reporting by Arno Schuetze
Editing by Edward Taylor)