IPOs

Steps in an IPO Process:

Let us now have a look at how an initial public offering process is initiated and reaches its conclusion. The entire process is regulated by the 'Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)', to prevent the possibility of a fraud and safeguard investor interest.

Selection of Investment Bank

The first thing that company management must do when they have taken a unanimous decision to go public is to find an investment bank or a conglomerate of investment banks that will act as underwriters on behalf of the company. Underwriter's buy the shares of the company and resell them to the general public. The company must also hire lawyers that can guide them through the legal maze that an IPO setup can be. It must be ready with detailed financial records for intensive fiscal health scrutiny that SEBI would perform. Some companies may also opt to directly sell their shares through the stock market, but most prefer going through the underwriters.

Step 1: Preparation of Registration Statement

To begin an IPO process, the company involved must submit a registration statement to the SEBI, which includes a detailed report of its fiscal health and business plans. SEBI scrutinizes this report and does its own background check of the company. It must also see that registration statement fulfils all the mandatory requirements and satisfies all rules and regulations.

Step 2: Getting the Prospectus Ready

While awaiting the approval, the company, with assistance from the underwriters, must create a preliminary 'Red Herring' prospectus. It includes detailed financial records, future plans and the specification of expected share price range. This prospectus is meant for prospective investors who would be interested in buying the stock. It also has a legal warning about the IPO pending SEBI approval.

Step 3: The Roadshow

Once the prospectus is ready, underwriters and company officials go on countrywide 'roadshows', visiting the major trade hubs and promote the company's IPO among select few private buyers (Usually corporates or HNIs). They are fed with detailed information regarding company's future plans and growth potential. They get a feel of investor response through these tours and try to woo big investors.

Step 4: SEBI Approval & Go Ahead

Once SEBI is satisfied with the registration statement, it declares the statement to be effective, giving a go ahead for the IPO to happen and a date to be fixed for the same. Sometimes it asks for amendments to be made before giving its approval. The prospectus cannot be given to the public without the amendments suggested by SEBI. The company needs to select a stock exchange where it intends to sell its shares and get listed.

Step 5: Deciding On Price Band & Share Number

After the SEBI approval, the company, with assistance from the underwriters decide on the final price band of the shares and also decide the number of shares to be sold.

There are two types of issues: Fixed Price and Book Building

Fixed Price - In a Fixed price issue - the company decides the price of the share issue and the number of shares being sold. Ex: ABC Ltd public issue of 10 lakh shares of face value Rs. 10/- each at a premium of Rs. 55/- each is available to the public thereby generating Rs. 6.5 Crores.

Book Building - A Book building issue helps the company discover the price of the issue. The company decides a price band and it gives the investor an option to choose the price at which he/she wishes to bid for the company shares. Ex: ABC Ltd issue of 10 lakh shares of face value Rs. 10/- each at a price band of Rs. 60 to 70 is available to the public thereby generating upto Rs. 7 Crores. Here the amount generated through the issue would depend on the highest amount bid by most investors.

Step 6: Available to Public for Purchase

On the dates mentioned in the prospectus, the shares are available to public. Investors can fill out the IPO form and specify the price at which they wish to make the purchase and submit the application. This open period usually lasts for 5 working days which is a SEBI requirement.

Step 7: Issue Price Determination & Share Allotment

Once the subscription period is over, members of the underwriting banks, share issuing company etc will meet and determine the price at which shares are to be allotted to the prospective investors. The price would be directly determined by the demand and the bid price quoted by investors. Once the price is finalized, shares are allotted to investors based on the bid amounts and the shares available.

Note: In case of oversubscribed issues, shares are not allotted to all applicants.

Step 8: Listing & Refund

The last step is the listing in the stock exchange. Investors to whom shares were allotted would get the shares credited to their DEMAT accounts and for the remaining the money would be refunded.