Jeans maker Levi Strauss rose as much as 35 per cent in its return as a public company, in the biggest test so far this year of a slow-to-warm-up market for US listings.

The shares opened at $22.22 apiece on Thursday after the company raised $623 million selling almost 36.7 million shares at $17 apiece. Shares were up 33.5 per cent to $22.695 at lunchtime in New York, giving the company a market value of close to $9 billion.

Investors

The retailer’s initial public offering showed investors were ready to buy into a company that wants to be known for more than just denim. Early indications had suggested the share sale was going well: Investors were advised to place their orders above the marketed price range to avoid missing out, a person familiar with the matter said Tuesday.

The amount raised makes Levi Strauss’s listing the largest on a US exchange so far this year -- at least until ridehailing company Lyft’s offering set for next week. – Bloomberg