Public Exits

ACA Capital Holdings Inc., a New York-based specialty finance company focused on asset management services and credit protection products, priced 12.2 million common shares at $13 per share ($15-$17 forecast), for an IPO take of approximately $158.6 million. It is trading on the NYSE under ticker symbol ACA, while Credit Suisse, JPMorgan and Bear Stearns served as co-lead underwriters. Shareholders include Bear Stearns Merchant Banking, Stephens Group and Aegon USA.

AmWINS Group Inc., a Charlotte, N.C.-based wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products and services, has filed for a $115 million IPO. It plans to trade on the NYSE under ticker symbol AGI, with Merrill Lynch and Wachovia Securities serving as co-lead underwriters. Parthenon Capital acquired a controlling interest in AmWINS in October 2005.

Aozora Bank, a Japanese lender majority-owned by Cerberus, raised approximately $3.2 billion via an IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The offering priced at 570 Yen-per-share, which was the low end of its 550-610 Yen-per share offering range.

Blackstone Group and BA Capital Investors said that they will sell 30 million Celanese Corp. (NYSE: CN) shares via a secondary offering.

Diamondback Energy Services Inc., an Oklahoma City-based acquisition company focused on service-oriented companies in the oil and natural gas industry, has filed for an $86.25 million IPO. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol FANG, with Jefferies & Co. serving as lead underwriter. Diamondback is controlled by Wexford Capital.

Edgen Murray PLC, a Baton Rouge, La.-based provider of steel products for use in the energy infrastructure market, has filed for a $200 million IPO. It plans to trade on the NYSE under ticker symbol EME, with JPMorgan and Jefferies & Co. serving as co-lead underwriters. Jefferies Capital Partners is the company’s majority shareholder.

Ellora Energy Inc., a Boulder, Colo.-based oil and gas company, has filed for an $86.25 million IPO. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol LORA, with AG Edwards serving as lead underwriter. Ellora is a portfolio company of Yorktown Energy Partners.

Innophos Holdings Inc., a Cranbury, N.J.-based specialty phosphates company, priced around 8.7 million common shares at $12 per share ($14-$16 range), for an IPO take of approximately $104.4 million. It is trading on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol IPHS, while Bear Stearns and Credit Suisse served as co-lead underwriters. Bain Capital acquired Innophos in 2004 from Rhodia for $550 million.

Otis Spunkmeyer Inc., a San Leandro, Calif.-based cookie company, has withdrawn registration for a proposed $230 million IPO. The company says that it instead has reached a merger agreement with Ireland-based IAWS Group. Otis Spunkmeyer has been controlled by Code, Hennessey & Simmons since August 2002, with CIBC and Goldman Sachs holding minority positions.

Permira plans to sell its remaining 6.92 million shares in German pay-TV broadcaster Premiere, via a secondary placement managed by UBS.

Physicians Formula Holdings Inc., an Azusa, Calif.-based cosmetics company, priced 7.5 million common shares at $17 per share ($15-$17 forecast), for an IPO take of approximately $127.5 million. It is trading on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol FACE, while Citigroup and Deutsche Bank Securities served as co-lead underwriters. Summit Partners held a 76.8% pre-IPO position, and was expected to sell around 43% of its shares in the offering.

NACG Holdings Inc., an Alberta, Canada-based energy services company, has set its proposed IPO terms to 12.5 million common shares being offered at between $19 and $21 per share. It plans to trade on the NYSE under ticker symbol NOA, with Credit Suisse, UBS and Jeffries & Co. serving as co-lead underwriters. Its equity sponsors include The Sterling Group, Genstar Capital, Perry Strategic Capital and SF Holdings (f.k.a. Stephens Group).

Stallion Oilfield Services Inc., a Houston, Texas-based provider of well-site support, construction and logistics services to oil exploration and production companies, has withdrawn registration for a $287.5 million IPO. No reason was given, except that the company “believes the withdrawal to be consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors.” Lehman Brothers, UBS and Credit Suisse had been serving as co-lead underwriters. Stallion is controlled by the Carlyle/Riversone Global Energy and Power Fund II.

U.S. Auto Parts Network Inc., a Carson, Calif.-based provider of aftermarket auto parts, has filed for a $100 million IPO. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol PRTS, with RBC Capital Markets and Thomas Weisel Partners serving as co-lead underwriters. Oak Investment Partners holds a 30.4% pre-IPO stake.