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What is IPO (Initial Public Offerings)

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You may have often come across the word “IPO” while browsing the newspaper or scrolling through the net and might have pondered on its meaning. Well, through this article, we’ll guide you on the concept and the process in its entirety.

IPO Meaning and Definition

So, what is IPO? Initial Public Offering or IPO is the process through which an unlisted company becomes a publicly traded company through the sale of shares to the public for the first time. IPO allows a company to raise equity capital from public investors. This process is often referred to as “going public” and enables the company to expand and grow faster.

How an Initial Public Offering (IPO) Works

Going public is entails formalities that are tough for a company to navigate alone. When a privately owned company plans on taking the IPO way, it needs to prepare itself not just in terms of public scrutiny but also in the form of paperwork and financial disclosures to meet the requirements of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Once a company reaches a stage when it feels it can handle the SEBI regulations and provide the necessary facilities to public shareholders, it begins to advertise its interest in going public.

The History of Initial Public Offering (IPOs)

The concept of IPO isn’t new. In fact, it has been popular amongst investors on Wall Street for decades. IPOs date back to 1602, when the largest commercial enterprise in the world back then, the Dutch East India Company, invited the general public to buy shares of the company. Through the years, IPOs have gone through many uptrends and downtrends in issuance and that can be attributed to innovation and economic factors. Of late, there has been a healthy rise in the upcoming IPOs. At this rate, it looks promising for the next few years too unless there’s a big financial crisis like 2008, which resulted in the least number of IPOs that year.

 

Additional Read: How to Invest in an IPO Online

The IPO Process/Steps

There are a few predefined steps that need to be followed. Let’s check them in detail.

Preparation and Filing of Offer Document

  • A company that wants to raise capital from the public is required to prepare an offer document with information and disclosures that helps investors to make an informed decision. The offer document contains company details, the project, its promoters, financial details, objects of raising the money, issue terms etc.
  • The issuer company engages a merchant banker (SEBI registered) to prepare the offer document. The merchant banker helps in launching the IPO.
  • The draft offer document is filed with the SEBI and the company is required to make a public announcement about filing in English, Hindi, and in regional language newspapers. If the investors notice any incomplete/wrong/ lack of information in the offer document, they can send their representation/complaint to the merchant banker and or to SEBI.
  • SEBI reviews the draft offer document and may issue observations on the draft offer document with a view to ensure that sufficient disclosures are made by the issuer merchant/company bankers in the offer document to help the investor make an informed decision in the issue. One must know that SEBI doesn’t “vet” & “approve” the offer document. SEBI’s observations on the draft offer document are forwarded to the merchant banker who incorporates the necessary changes and files the final offer document with SEBI, ROC (Registrar of Companies) and stock exchanges and SEBI.

Opening of the Issue

  • Once the legal formalities are completed, the issuer company issues advertisements in English, Hindi, and regional language newspapers and the issue becomes open for public subscription.
  • In case the prospective investor is interested in subscribing to the shares of the issuer company on the basis of what is disclosed in the offer document, he can apply for its shares before the issue closes by filling up the application form and making the payment.
  • The entire back-office operation of the public issue, including processing of application forms, the despatch of refunds, and allotment of securities is handled by the RTI (Registrar to the Issue) on behalf of the issuer company.
  • Also note that only one application per PAN is allowed in any issue. If an investor makes more than one application, all the applications are liable to be rejected. The RTI matches the applicant’s name in the application form and verifies it with the PAN, Demat account details (DP ID and Demat A/c No ) and also sifts out the duplicate applications.
  • An IPO is usually open for three days during which retail investors may bid for stocks via their banks/brokerages online.
  • A Demat account is a must to participate in an IPO.

Pros and Cons of an IPO

PROSCONS
  • One of the biggest advantages of an IPO is the monetary aspect. The new capital generated by the IPO opens doors for many companies to utilize the money for finance research, capital expenditure etc.
  • The transactional procedures of an IPO are expensive. A significant amount is spent on completing the legal and associated formalities
  • Public image of the company improves. A publicly traded company is more visible and there’s a good chance that lenders would give more preference to publicly traded corporations than privately-owned companies.
  • Company’s proprietor may lose potential control over the company. The owners need to be careful as a lot of information about the company becomes public, and accessible to the competitors.

Why Does a Company Offer an IPO?

  • A company files an IPO to raise capital that can be used for clearing off debts, R&D, business expansion etc.
  • There are many reasons for a company to offer an IPO. One of the main reasons is its quest to expand and grab more eyeballs of the public. This way it can attract more customers and lead to possible mergers and acquisitions in the future.
  • As a company gets listed on the stock exchange, it adds credibility to the company.

Should You Invest in an IPO and What Are the Things To Remember While Investing

Investing in an IPO is a tricky proposition. Just because an IPO is garnering a lot of media attention doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an appropriate investment. Know the company thoroughly. Read the Red Herring Prospectus and scrutinize it. Gather information on the company’s business and the growth prospects in the sector it operates in, their plans with the funds generated through the IPO. There is no sure-shot success by investing in an IPO. Remember, you’d bear a direct impact on its success and loss on the listing day. Ideally, you should check the potential risks and rewards before investing in an IPO. In case you are a novice, you should read up and consult some financial expert/advisor rather than be misled.

How to Apply for IPOs

Let’s look at how to apply for IPOs:

  • Login either on the mobile application/website of the chosen broker and go to the ongoing IPO section.
  • Select the IPO you wish to apply for.
  • Enter the UPI Id
  • Submit application
  • Visit your UPI app & confirm the payment mandate sent by your broker
  • After successful authentication, the amount will be blocked in your bank account
  • If you receive the allotment, the blocked amount will be debited, and shares will be credited to your Demat & Trading account
  • If you do not receive the allotment, the blocked amount will be released to your bank account

Conclusion

If you want to invest in an IPO , don’t get swept up by the media-created hype surrounding the company. Ensure to do your own due diligence. Always refer to the issuing company’s preliminary prospectus, that is the “Red Herring Prospectus” before you wish to participate in an IPO.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do companies issue IPOs?

Answer Field

Companies issue IPOs to raise capital from public investors. This capital can be used for various purposes, such as paying off debts, expanding operations, investing in research and development, or funding business growth.

What is the process of an IPO?

Answer Field

The IPO process includes several steps: preparing and filing the offer document with SEBI, receiving SEBI’s observations, opening the public subscription period, processing applications, allotting shares, and listing on stock exchanges.

Is Initial Public Offering (IPO) profitable?

Answer Field

Investing in an IPO can be profitable if the company performs well after going public, but it also carries risks. The success of an IPO investment depends on the company’s business potential and market conditions.

Is an IPO a good investment?

Answer Field

An IPO can be a good investment if you thoroughly research the company, its financials, and its future growth potential. However, it also comes with risks, as the company’s future performance is uncertain.

How to sell IPO shares?

Answer Field

IPO shares can be sold once they are listed on the stock exchange. Investors can place a sell order through their broker or trading platform, just as they would with any other listed stock.

How does an IPO work and what does it mean for investors?

Answer Field

An IPO allows a private company to offer shares to the public for the first time. For investors, it means an opportunity to buy shares early, potentially at a lower price before the company’s value grows in the market. However, it also means taking on the risks associated with a new public company.

How is an IPO different from direct listing?

Answer Field

In an IPO, new shares are created and sold to the public to raise capital. In a direct listing, no new shares are created, and existing shares are sold directly to the public without raising additional capital. Direct listings often come with lower fees and less regulatory scrutiny than IPOs.

What is the meaning of IPO in the stock market?

Answer Field

An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the process by which a private company offers its shares to the public for the first time, becoming publicly traded on the stock market.

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