The IPO is the first main important step every company would like to undertake for its growth and expansion. Going public helps the firm reach a wider investor community, raises capital for the expansion of the business, and builds the public profile of the firm. In an IPO, the company issues its shares to the investors, who further trade those in the open market. The paper highlights the financial details of the company, risk factors, and marketing strategies in various stages of the IPO. Let’s see the complete IPO process in this blog.
The Importance of Going Public
Going public will provide these benefits to a company, among others, such as sources of huge liquid capital, equity shares to use as legal currency for takeovers the acquisition of other businesses, and exposure. Besides offering visibility, it tends to establish a company’s credentials and thereby enables the building up of companies for expansion and diversification as well as making them more competitive in respective markets.
Why Companies Choose to Launch an IPO
Companies typically launch an IPO to raise funds for expanding operations, paying down debt, or financing new projects. Additionally, IPOs can help companies increase their market presence and gain recognition from customers, investors, and potential business partners.
Understanding the Need for an IPO
An Initial Public Offering or IPO is an important step in the growth and journey of a company. The whole IPO process in India involves a lot of complexity, and length, and is governed by SEBI. Understanding whether there is a need for an IPO is important if one wants a company to go public, investors keen to invest in IPOs, and professionals in the finance industry.
The IPO process includes several steps and regulations that the company has to go through. The company must prepare a Red Herring Prospectus, register with SEBI, and include all relevant information such as financial data, management details, business plans, and risk reports. It must file the RHP with SEBI along with the registration statement as per the Companies Act.
IPO processes are generally cumbersome and time-consuming but offer several advantages to companies in terms of capital gain, liquidity, credibility, brand image improvement, more transparency, and wider access. SEBI regulates the entire IPO process to ensure that the company discloses all essential details to potential investors.
The process of IPO in India means taking the company to the public for the IPO, which involves the picking of an investment bank, also known as the underwriter.
The IPO Process Explained
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the IPO Process
The process of IPO involves several steps:
Preparation: The company prepares its financial records, hires advisors, and files a draft prospectus with regulatory authorities.
Selecting Underwriters: The company hires underwriters (usually investment banks) to guide them through the IPO process and help set the offering price.
Due Diligence and Valuation: Underwriters perform extensive due diligence, assess the company’s value, and finalize the pricing.
Book Building & Pricing: Underwriters market the IPO to institutional investors, gather bids, and determine the final price.
Launch and Listing: The company’s shares are listed on a stock exchange, and investors can begin buying and selling them.
How IPOs Work: From Private to Public
When a company transitions from a private to a public entity through an IPO, it offers a portion of its equity to the public in exchange for capital. After listing the shares, investors can trade them on the stock exchange, and the company must comply with public reporting and regulatory requirements.
IPO in India: Specific Regulations and Procedures
The initial public offering process in India is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The company must file a Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) and obtain approval from SEBI. Afterward, the company offers its shares for subscription to investors through the book-building process or fixed price offerings.
Key Stages in the IPO Journey
The journey of an IPO typically involves four stages:
Pre-IPO preparation: Includes due diligence, financial audits, and regulatory approvals.
IPO filing and marketing: Preparation of the prospectus, marketing the offering, and pricing the shares.
Launch and listing: Finalizing the offer price, listing shares on the exchange, and making them available for public trading.
Post-IPO trading: Once listed, the shares are traded in the open market, and the company begins to report its financials publicly.
Understanding IPO Investments
What Is IPO Investment?
IPO investment refers to the process of buying shares in a company that is going public. Investors purchase shares at the IPO price with the hope that the stock will perform well once it is publicly traded.
How to Invest in an IPO
To invest in an IPO, you must have a Demat account with a registered broker. You can apply for the IPO either through your broker or through the company’s designated IPO platform. If you’re a retail investor, you can participate in the retail portion of the offering.
IPO Investment Strategies
There are several strategies for investing in an IPO:
Long-term investment: Investors purchase shares to hold them for the long term, betting on the company’s future growth.
Short-term flipping: Some investors buy IPO shares hoping to sell them for a profit shortly after they begin trading in the open market.
Risks and Rewards of IPO Investment
IPO investments can be highly profitable, but they also come with risks. The stock may not perform well post-listing, and market volatility can impact the IPO’s performance. A successful IPO, however, can offer significant returns if the company experiences strong growth.
The Book Building Process in IPOs
What Is the Book-Building Process in IPO?
The book-building process is a mechanism used by companies to determine the final offer price of their IPO. During this process, institutional investors submit bids within a specified price range. The underwriters then “build the book” of demand and set the final price based on the bids received.
How the Book Building Process Helps Set the IPO Price
The book-building process allows for dynamic pricing of the shares, ensuring that the final offer price reflects the market demand for the IPO. It helps ensure that the company and investors find a fair market price for the shares based on real-time demand.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Book Building Process
Advantages: It allows for better price discovery and reflects the actual demand from institutional investors.
Disadvantages: Smaller retail investors may not get as favorable an offer price since the process prioritizes institutional investors.
Pricing and Allotment in IPOs
What Is Face Value in an IPO?
The face value of an IPO refers to the nominal value assigned to each share by the company. This is typically a small amount (e.g., ₹10 or ₹1 per share) and is not the price at which the shares are offered to the public. The issue price is generally much higher than the face value.
Understanding the Pricing Mechanism of IPOs
The pricing mechanism of an IPO can be either a fixed price or a book-building process. In a fixed-price IPO, the company sets a fixed price for its shares. In a book-building process, the final price is determined based on investor demand during the bidding period.
IPO Allotment Time: When and How Allotments Happen
The IPO allotment process typically occurs a few days after the subscription period closes. The company and underwriters review the applications and allot shares to applicants based on the demand and allocation strategy. If the IPO is oversubscribed, some investors may not receive the full allotment of shares they applied for.
Factors Influencing IPO Allotment
Demand for Shares: In an oversubscribed IPO, the company allots shares proportionally, meaning applying for more shares increases your chances of receiving an allotment.
Investor Category: Retail investors, qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), and non-institutional investors have different allotment preferences.
Price Band: The price range set in the book-building process affects the number of investors and the amount of money raised, influencing the allotment.
IPO in the Share Market
What Is IPO in the Share Market?
An IPO in the share market allows a company to list its shares on a stock exchange for the first time, enabling public investors to buy and sell them. This marks the company’s entry into the market, where its stock is subject to market forces like supply and demand.
How IPO Shares Are Traded in the Share Market
Once the IPO is completed and shares are allotted, the stock begins to trade on the stock exchange. Investors can buy or sell shares in the open market, and the price fluctuates based on demand and supply.
The Role of the Stock Exchange in an IPO
Stock exchanges like the NSE and BSE in India play a crucial role in facilitating the listing and trading of IPO shares. These exchanges provide a transparent and regulated environment for investors to buy and sell shares, ensuring market liquidity and fair pricing.
Post-IPO Market Performance
After launching the IPO and listing the shares, the company’s stock market performance depends on various factors, including its financial results, market conditions, and investor sentiment. Successful IPOs often see an increase in share price post-listing, while others may face volatility or a price decline.
How to Apply for an IPO
Apply for an IPO in India
To apply for an IPO in India, investors need to have a Demat account and a trading account with a registered broker. Most brokers and financial platforms facilitate IPO applications through online processes, making it easy for retail investors to participate.
How to Apply for an IPO Online: Step-by-Step Guide
Log into Your Brokerage Account: Access your trading platform or broker’s mobile app.
Navigate to the IPO Section: Look for the “IPO” or “Invest in IPO” section.
Select the Desired IPO: Browse through the list of current IPOs and choose the one you wish to apply for.
Enter Bid Details: Specify the number of shares and the bid price within the price band set by the company.
Submit and Pay: Complete the application and authorize the payment via ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount).
Check Allotment: After the IPO closes, check your allotment status to see if you received shares.
IPO Application Process for Retail and Institutional Investors
Retail Investors: Can apply for IPOs through the retail portion, typically capped at ₹2 lakh in India.
Institutional Investors: Apply for larger quantities and are allocated a significant portion of the IPO under the book-building process.
Online IPO applications ensure transparency, efficiency, and ease, making them accessible to all types of investors.
Open free demat account in 5 minutes
Conclusion
The IPO process is a pivotal moment for any company seeking to expand and raise capital in the public markets. Whether you’re a company preparing for an IPO or an investor looking to take part, having the right support is crucial. Jainam Broking Ltd., with its expertise in financial markets, IPO investments, and strategic advisory, is the perfect partner to guide you through the entire IPO process ensuring a smooth, successful journey from start to finish.
So, are you planning to Apply IPO? If yes, you are at the right place!
An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the process by which a private company offers its shares to the public for the first time. It marks the transition from a private company to a publicly traded entity, enabling it to raise capital from a wide range of investors.
What is an Initial Public Offering (IPO)?
An IPO is a major event for any company wanting to raise finance, enhance its visibility in the market, and bring liquidity to the existing shareholders. A company offers shares through an IPO on a stock exchange, which, later on, are to be bought and sold by public investors.
How IPO Works?
An IPO involves several stages, including filing the prospectus with regulators, selecting underwriters, setting the offer price, and launching the shares on the stock exchange. The company works closely with underwriters to determine the share price and the number of shares to be issued, and once the IPO is launched, the shares are traded on the open market.
What Is IPO in the Share Market?
An IPO in the share market refers to the process of a private company listing its shares on a stock exchange for the first time. Once the shares are listed, they can be freely bought and sold by the public, allowing the company to raise capital and gain exposure to a wider investor base.
What Is Face Value in IPO?
The face value of an IPO refers to the nominal or par value of a company’s shares as stated in the company’s balance sheet. It is the base value assigned to each share when it is issued during the IPO and does not reflect its market value, which can fluctuate based on investor demand and company performance.
What Is the Book Building Process in an IPO?
The book building process is a mechanism used by companies during an IPO to determine the price at which shares will be offered to the public. In this process, investors submit bids for shares within a price band, and the final price is set based on the demand for shares. This method helps to discover the fair market price for the IPO.
What Is IPO Allotment Time?
IPO allotment time refers to the period after the IPO subscription closes when the company allocates shares to the investors. Typically, this takes 7-10 days, during which the shares are allotted based on the number of applications received and the investor’s bid amount.
How to Invest in IPOs?
IPO investment involves applying for shares during the IPO subscription period. Investors can apply through their demat and trading accounts with brokers or financial institutions. Once the IPO is listed on the stock exchange, investors can also buy and sell shares in the secondary market.