CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. shares soared 43 percent Thursday after the real estate services company said it sold a 50-million share public offering at $3.77 per share, for a total value of $180 million. The stock also benefitted from an overall market rally.

Los Angeles-based CB Richard Ellis, which expects to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, said underwriters of the deal have the option to buy an additional 7.5 million shares to cover overallotments. If underwriters were to exercise the full option, the offering’s value would rise to $207 million.

CB Richard Ellis earlier sought to raise $300 million to $400 million from private investors, but abandoned that effort due to lack of interest. The company still has substantial debt from its $1.9 billion acquisition of Trammell Crow Co. in late 2006.

Shares closed up $1.62 to $5.39 on the New York Stock Exchange.