Ratings and researcher Nielsen plans to go public

[June 03, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) --  The television ratings and consumer research company Nielsen says it plans to raise up to $1.75 billion in an initial public offering of common stock.

Nelsen Holdings BV, based in The Netherlands, says in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it will use proceeds to pay down some of its debt and for general corporate purposes.

Nielsen was purchased in May 20006 by a group of private equity firms, which included AlpInvest Partners, Blackstone Group, Carlye Group, Hellman & Friedman, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Thomas H. Lee Partners.

The company did not say how may shares its plans to offer or the price range it expects for them.

[Associated Press]

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