hotel

The listing of Lotte's hotel unit may help dispel lingering questions about cross-shareholdings among the subsidiaries of Korea's family-owned conglomerates.

The hotel and casino operator surprises by fixing the price above the bottom of the range. Meanwhile, New Century Reit has reduced its IPO by close to 60% and is now seeking to raise $87 million.

The Carlyle-backed hotel-focused trust is offering a yield above 9%. If successful, it will be the first Reit to list in Hong Kong in two years.

Hong Kong's first hotel Reit prices at the bottom for a 7.5% yield ahead of a trading debut that could have implications for the entire HK Reit market.

The sponsor will retain 72% of the hotel Reit which is tempting investors with a 7.5% yield.

Henderson's Sunlight Reit returns with a higher yield and downside protection for investors, while Regal's status as the first hotel Reit is expected to act as a draw.

Winners picked from the 424 respondents to Best Companies Asia survey of 2004.

Despite limited syndication for a small-sized facility, over-subscription came to 40%.