Companies going public could collect up to $1.9B this week; largest capital raise this year

IPOs could raise as much as $1.9 billion this week

NEW YORK — Eight companies are aiming to raise up to $1.9 billion through initial public offerings by Friday, potentially the biggest week for IPOs so far this year.

If all the offerings on tap this week price at the top of their expected ranges, proceeds would equal one quarter of the total amount raised by IPOs so far in 2010.

While it’s potentially a big week for the market, two small deals, Chinese ad agency Charm Communications Inc. and dental services provider Smile Brands Group Inc., are generating the most buzz. But even that interest is muted following two largely disappointing weeks for the IPO market marked by a number of offerings that priced low and fell on their first day of trading.