SeaWorld prepares for $540m flotation The theme park owned by private equity firm Blackstone has set a price range for its initial public offering of $24-$27 a share, valuing the company at up to $2.5bn. Blackstone bought SeaWorld from Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2009 for $2.3bn (£1.5bn) opted to bring the company to marekt after rejecting takeover offers for the company. SeaWorld owns 11 theme parks under brands such as the flagship SeaWorld and Sesame Place. Revenues last year were $1.4bn, most of it in admission fees from its 24m visitors. Blackrock, which is looking to reduce its stake to around 74pc, wants to use the proceeds to reduce debt in SeaWorld to around $1.7bn, according a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The US theme park industry has been unaffected by a weak economy. Shares of leading amusement park operator Six Flags Entertainment have risen about 19pc so far this years, while those of Cedar Fair are up 16pc. SeaWorld is planning to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SEAS."