GFI Group, Education Realty Trust on deck

NEW YORK (AFX) -- In a relatively busy week for initial public offerings, a $100 million deal by from brokerage services firm GFI Group and a $311 million launch by Education Realty Trust Inc. are expected to debut on Wednesday, according to IPO tracking firm Dealogic. Education Realty Trust, which specializes in investments in student housing, plans to offer 18.3 million shares at $16 to $18 each with underwriter J.P. Morgan. The issue will trade under "EDR" on the New York Stock Exchange. GFI Group, an inter-dealer broker specializing in over-the-counter derivatives, plans to offer 5.67 million shares at $18 to $20 each with underwriters Citigroup and Merrill Lynch. The company plans to trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "GFIG." On Thursday, OptionsXpress is expected to debut its $186 million IPO. And several deals are expected on Friday, including a $120 million IPO from Dollar Financial Corp., a $100 million IPO from National Atlantic Holdings Corp., a $52 million IPO from National Interstate Corp. and a $200 million IPO from W&T Offshore. Aspreva eyes $100 million IPO Canadian pharmaceutical company Aspreva Inc. on Monday filed a $100 million IPO. The company plans to trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker "ASPV." Italy's Gentium files for $38 million deal Also Monday, Gentium S.p.a. filed a $38 million IPO. The Italian biopharmaceutical company plans to offer 2.7 million shares at $9 to $11 each with underwriter Maxim Group LLC. The company plans to trade on the American Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GNM." North Pointe files for $63 million deal North Pointe Holdings Corp., a property and casualty insurance company based in Southfield, Mich., late Friday filed a $63 million IPO with banker SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. The company plans to trade on the Nasdaq under "NPTE." This story was supplied by MarketWatch. For further information see www.marketwatch.com.

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