India: Firms That Deferred IPOs Due To COVID Are Now Willing To Tap The Market

Burger King India Ltd, for instance, filed an update to its draft share sale documents last week and plans to soon meet investors for its proposed initial public offer (IPO).

The fast-food chain had withdrawn plans to launch its IPO in March because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Other companies that have refiled documents include Antony Waste Handling Cell Ltd, whose IPO failed to attract investors in March, and Mrs Bectors Food Specialities Ltd, which filed its draft IPO documents in August 2018, but never went ahead with the plan.

Several other companies have also decided to test the market.

The rush of IPOs in September — eight deals in the span of a month — and the high investor demand that these share sales generated, have raised the hopes of many other firms.

Auto parts maker Craftsman Automation Ltd and financial services company Anand Rathi Wealth Management Ltd are among those that are planning to soon refile their share sale prospectus, three people in the know said, requesting anonymity.

“Listing gains seen in some of the recent share sales and a buoyant stock market fuelled by excess liquidity are resulting in companies reviving their IPO plans,” said Pranav Haldea, managing director of Prime Database group.

According to a report by consulting firm EY, the second half of 2020 looks significantly better for IPOs.

“IPOs might continue to allure investors in the primary market after successful subscriptions in recent times. Companies with higher standards of governance, differentiated business models and better financial positioning will find it easier to list,” said Sandip Khetan, partner and national leader, financial accounting advisory services, EY India, in the report.

Many of the IPOs that were launched in September received strong investor demand and went on to make their stock market debut with hefty listing gains.

Stock prices of Happiest Minds Technologies Ltd, Route Mobile Ltd and Chemcon Speciality Chemicals Ltd were up by 123%, 86% and 72% at the end of their first trading day, respectively.

“There is definitely more hope among the management of these companies. Few of the deals that went through in September, six months ago no one would have thought that these deals could be executed. There is a very strong interest in IPOs, especially from HNIs (high net-worth individuals) and retail investors,” said an investment banker who is advising a few companies that are in the midst of re-filing their draft red herring prospectus.

Emails sent to Anand Rathi and Craftsman were unanswered. “We are exploring opportunities to raise growth capital to expand the franchisee in India,” said a Burger King India spokesperson.

The article was first published on livemint.com.