Cruise company Viking, which has largely been a private operation controlled by its founding family, is ready to sell shares to the public, and has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Founded in 1997 by Torstein Hagen, whose family holds about 70% of the company, Viking has grown over the years from a river cruise company to one with ocean and expedition ships and a big-name reputation as well.
Under the IPO proposal, 44 million shares will be offered, eleven million directly by the company and 33 million by existing shareholders. The IPO price is expected to be between $21 and $25 a share, for a total of around $1 billion.
