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Think Initial Public Offers (IPOs) are a sure-shot, quickfire method to make a quick buck? If so, then investing in some of India's biggest IPOs to date would have created multiple millionaires. However, if the data is to be believed, 18 out of India's top 30 IPOs by way of size have failed to deliver on the returns front. Recent data from Capitalmind PMS suggests that of all the mega IPOs India has seen in the past 2 decades, only 12 IPOs i.e. stocks of 12 companies have delivered more returns that what you would have received, had you bought and held your investments in Nifty500(which invests in biggest 500 companies by market size). Infact, Paytm (54%), <keyword id="20024191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reliance-Power" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reliance Power" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reliance Power">Reliance Power</keyword> (81%), General Insurance Corporation (2%) actually generated negative total returns to date. The only outliers in the list of top 10 IPOs were Zomato (listed in July 2021) and Coal India (listed in April, 2010), which managed to generate excess returns i.e. more than what was generated by Nifty500. While Zomato's total return to date, which is considered a comprehensive gauge of a stock's profitability, stands at 265%, Coal India total returns are a massive 443%. In these cases, had you simply bought and held the Nifty500 index for a similar duration, your returns would've been 73%, and 435% respectively. Also, 5 of the biggest IPOs India has ever seen (Bajaj Housing Finance, Bharti Hexacom, Brainbees, Ola Electric) have come in the last 2 years. In some cases, having stayed put in your index investments would have yielded you far better returns. Consider this, FSN E-Commerce, Nykaa's parent company, listed on the exchanges on November 2021. Its total returns till date have been 2%, while had you invested in Nifty500 index, your returns would've been 53%. Similarly, the total returns to date on Bandhan Bank's stock, which listed in March 2018, was a negative 43%. But, the index has delivered a whopping 163% returns during the same time. Hits and Misses <table class="redcator-table-advance"><tbody><tr><td>Company Name</td><td>Total Returns to Date (In %)</td><td>CNX (Nifty500) Returns (In %)</td></tr><tr><td>Reliance Power (Feb 2008)</td><td>-81</td><td>961</td></tr><tr><td>Zomato (July 2021)</td><td>265</td><td>73</td></tr><tr><td>Gland Pharma (November 2020)</td><td>14</td><td>124</td></tr><tr><td>NHPC (September 2009)</td><td class="se-table-selected-cell">389</td><td>961</td></tr><tr><td>Indian Railways Finance Corporation (January 2021)</td><td>582</td><td>109</td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source: CapitalMind PMS <h2>Surge in IPOs? Not really </h2>It is impossible to overlook the sheer number of public offerings seen in the Indian markets over the past 2 years. Around 600 share sale offers have already hit the market since 2023. Out of these, 335 have come in this year, as of October 2024. While over Rs 50,000 crores have been raised by these share sales so far since 2023, only 22% of these funds raises have come from companies who are hitting the market for the first time i.e. bringing out their IPOs. The rest have come from already listed companies seeking to raise more funds. The biggest IPO that India has seen to date, that of <keyword id="19906087" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hyundai" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Hyundai" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Hyundai">Hyundai</keyword> Motor India, closes for subscription today. With an offer size of Rs 27,870.16 crore, it is 35% bigger than the previous biggest IPO in the country(LIC in May 2022). As of 12:30 pm today, Hyundai's offer had been 87% subscribed, with significant interest from QIBs and employees. At 0.43x, participation of retail investors remained largely subdued. Notably, an IPO is considered cancelled and withdrawn, if it fails to meet the 90% subscription threshold.

Do large IPOs guarantee large returns? Data suggests that 18 of India's biggest 30 IPOs did not generate solid returns

Dear reader, Another week comes to an end, and with it, a fresh roundup of stories shaping the business and finance landscapes. This week, we explored data that challenges the idea that large IPOs automatically lead to large returns—18 of India’s biggest IPOs fell short of expectations. On the investment front, experts debunked the popular advice of ‘<keyword id="23577643" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="buying-the-dip" source="keywords">buying the dip</keyword>’ and suggest a better approach for long-term success. And in the world of <keyword id="19963428" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="quick-commerce" source="keywords">quick commerce</keyword>, recent incidents like bizarre notifications and uncalled-for freebies piqued social media's interest. For stargazers and romantics, the upcoming <keyword id="22852367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hunters-Moon" source="keywords">Hunter’s Moon</keyword> offers a beautiful setting for a moonlit night. And for career climbers, we have insights from a <keyword id="21560867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="product-manager" source="keywords">product manager</keyword> who landed a $180,000 role at <keyword id="19904352" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cisco" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Cisco" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Cisco">Cisco</keyword>, sharing <keyword id="21767233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="resume-tips" source="keywords">resume tips</keyword> to help you stand out. Dive in, and enjoy this week’s highlights! <h2>Top stories of the week</h2> Do large IPOs guarantee large returns? Data suggests that 18 of India's biggest 30 IPOs did not generate solid returns A study of India’s top 30 IPOs reveals that a majority—18 of them—failed to deliver substantial returns to investors. Despite the hype surrounding large public offerings, data shows that a company’s size or popularity doesn’t always correlate with strong post-IPO performance. Investors are urged to manage their expectations and conduct thorough research before jumping into large IPOs, as high-profile launches don’t guarantee hefty returns. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/do-large-ipos-guarantee-large-returns-data-suggests-that-18-of-indias-biggest-30-ipos-did-not-generate-hefty-returns/articleshow/114302378.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> Free tomatoes to i-pill notification, recent quick commerce incidents that sparked outrage Recent incidents in India’s quick commerce sector have sparked widespread outrage, ranging from offering free tomatoes as promotional giveaways to sending unsolicited I-Pill notifications to customers. These occurrences highlight issues around <keyword id="19999043" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-privacy" source="keywords">consumer privacy</keyword>, safety, and inappropriate marketing strategies. As rapid delivery services continue to expand, so do concerns about their ethical and operational practices. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/free-tomatoes-to-i-pill-notification-recent-quick-commerce-incidents-that-sparked-outrage/articleshow/114315992.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> Why "buying the dip" is not always good advice, and the right time to start is now The age-old investment advice of ‘buying the dip’ may not always hold true, especially in unpredictable markets. Experts argue that waiting for stocks to drop before investing could result in missed opportunities, as market timings are nearly impossible to predict. Instead, the best strategy for long-term investors may be to focus on consistent investing, with the right time to start being now. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/why-buying-the-dip-is-not-always-good-advice-the-right-time-to-start-is-now/articleshow/114253456.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> Why this week's Hunter's Moon is the ultimate backdrop for the perfect moonlit date night The upcoming Hunter’s Moon, which will grace the skies this week, offers the perfect opportunity for a romantic, moonlit night. This full moon is not only visually stunning but also holds cultural significance, symbolizing harvest and abundance. For those seeking an atmospheric, nature-infused experience, this celestial event promises to be the ultimate backdrop for a memorable date night. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/article/why-this-weeks-hunters-moon-is-the-ultimate-backdrop-for-the-perfect-moonlit-date-night/articleshow/114317181.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> A product manager shares the résumé that helped him transition from consulting and land a $180,000 role at Cisco Transitioning from consulting to a high-paying role as a product manager at Cisco, one professional shared the resume that helped him land the $180,000 job. His strategic approach included tailoring his CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences, positioning himself as the perfect candidate for the tech giant. Aspiring product managers can take notes on crafting resumes that stand out in competitive job markets. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/a-product-manager-shares-the-rsum-that-helped-him-transition-from-consulting-and-land-a-180000-role-at-cisco/articleshow/114232654.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> <h2><h2>Web Stories </h2> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/webstories/india-canada-tussle-a-timeline-of-escalating-tensions-under-trudeaus-regime/slidelist/114283096.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India-Canada Tussle: A timeline of escalating tensions under Trudeau’s regime</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/webstories/india-canada-tussle-a-timeline-of-escalating-tensions-under-trudeaus-regime/slidelist/114283096.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/webstories/the-weirdest-guinness-world-records-ever-set/slidelist/114288059.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">The weirdest Guinness World records ever set</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/webstories/the-weirdest-guinness-world-records-ever-set/slidelist/114288059.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/from-amber-to-gagron-indias-unesco-world-heritage-forts-to-explore/slidelist/114282776.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Amber to Gagron: India’s UNESCO world heritage forts to explore</a> </h2>

Weekend wrap: IPO myths, quick commerce gone wrong and more

Imagine a bustling jewellery market teeming with diamonds and gold. Amidst this glittering chaos, a small stall is trying to sell handcrafted gemstones. Even as newer and shinier outlets keep cropping up, all vying for attention, this gemstone store offers some of the oldest yet valuable jewels at a discount. Though they lack immediate sparkle, these rare gems reveal their value to the discerning buyer. This is how South Korea appears for many experts in global capital markets: a trove of undervalued gems, overshadowed by brighter, more aggressively marketed investment options. This undervaluation, known as the "<keyword id="24399183" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="korean-discount" source="keywords">Korean Discount</keyword>," reflects how South Korean companies are priced much lower than their global peers despite robust fundamentals — strong financial performance and consistent profitability. Contributing factors are many, ranging from opaque governance structures to geopolitical risks. But the fact stays, if you are a seasoned conglomerate listed in South Korea, you are likely undervalued. <keyword id="19906087" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hyundai" source="keywords">Hyundai</keyword> Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), a subsidiary of the Korean giant Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), recently sought to escape this valuation trap by listing in India, a market where investor optimism commands premium pricing. But its valuation raised many eyebrows! Now that a month and a half has gone by since its listing, time is apt to examine if this gamble paid off. Will <keyword id="93460" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hyundai-india" source="Orion">Hyundai India</keyword> justify its high valuation? Or does the listing highlight broader questions about the overheated valuation dynamics of Indian markets? A record-breaking <keyword id="19898327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ipo" source="keywords">IPO</keyword> but questions remain Hyundai Motor India’s mega Initial Public Offering (IPO), launched in October 2024, broke records by raising ₹27,870 crore, making it India’s largest-ever IPO. The offer was oversubscribed by 2.37 times, highlighting robust demand. But many investors remained sceptical: was this IPO an honest attempt to expand Hyundai’s footprint in India or was it trying to offer a way to cashout for existing investors and promoters? Or perhaps, is it an attempt by the Korean chaebol — a large family-owned business conglomerate — to break free from the aforementioned “Korean Discount”? When shares listed on October 22, these concerns seemingly weighed on the minds of most investors and the stock promptly dipped 5% below the issue price on the day. A tepid grey market performance had already foreshadowed this muted debut in the Indian markets. Now, after almost 35 trading sessions on Indian market, the stock remains almost exactly at price it listed on October 22 at Rs 1820—no gain, no loss. <h3>The gamble of hyper-valuation</h3>Much of this hesitation stemmed from Hyundai’s valuation. On listing, Hyundai was valued at $18 billion, positioning it as one of India’s most valuable automotive companies. However, such high valuations often temper investor enthusiasm, resulting in more cautious short-term outcomes. For most investors, the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is the most preferred parameter to gauge if a company is overvalued or undervalued. With a P/E ratio of 26.3, HMIL was priced significantly above the Indian automotive industry average of 24.4. Globally, automotive companies operate with much lower P/E ratios, reflecting mature market conditions and slower growth trajectories. HMIL’s South Korean parent Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) trades at a meagre 3.07, believe it or not! For Indian investors, the high premium hinted at overvaluation despite Hyundai’s strong domestic position. Such stark difference in valuation obviously sparked debates — is the Indian market assigning a premium to Hyundai Motor India’s growth potential, or is it simply reflecting the general exuberance around the prospects of the Indian economy? Another concern is the allocation of IPO proceeds. Hyundai’s IPO was structured as an offer for sale (OFS), meaning all funds raised would flow to the parent company rather than Hyundai India’s operations. Although Hyundai has committed to investing in R&amp;D for EVs and hybrids, critics argue that the lack of immediate reinvestment in India’s operations reflects a missed opportunity for domestic growth. Despite the early disappointment, Hyundai was confident that the valuation was fair. It did have some factors going for it, in addition to the fact that other auto giants like Mahindra &amp; Mahindra and <keyword id="19909974" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maruti-suzuki" source="keywords">Maruti Suzuki</keyword> command even higher P/E ratios. And looking at the company fundamentals, it does seem like Hyundai is playing a long-term game. <h3>Hyundai in India: A proven track record</h3>Despite the initial stumble, Hyundai India’s long-term story is compelling. Since entering the Indian market in 1996, the automaker has sold over 8 million vehicles and firmly occupies the second spot in the domestic passenger vehicle market, trailing only Maruti Suzuki. Hyundai’s blockbuster SUV offerings, like the Creta and Venue, have been critical in building this dominance. Despite some challenge from Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Tata Punch, Creta has retained the tag of ‘most-selling SUV in India’ successfully so far this year. <div type="image" title="Hyundai" agency="Business Insider India" msid="116156234" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Selling over 17,000 units per month on average this year, Creta has edged past major competitors to be the most-selling SUV in India in 2024. As Indian consumers preference continues to shift gradually towards premium products over budget segments, Hyundai stands to benefit (Wikimedia Commons / Canva)&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Selling over 17,000 units per month on average, Creta has edged past major competitors to be the most-selling SUV in India in 2024. As Indian consumers preference continues to shift gradually towards premium products over budget segments, Hyundai stands to benefit (Wikimedia Commons / Canva) Hyundai India’s market share of 14% in October 2024 underscores its clout. The company’s ability to tap into India’s premiumisation trend, where consumers increasingly prefer high-end vehicles, positions it well for growth. With plans to expand in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid technology, Hyundai is poised to capitalise on both domestic demand and export opportunities. The company’s ability to capitalize on its strong brand, extensive dealer network, and leadership in segments like SUVs and exports will determine its future performance. Hyundai’s strategic focus on expanding electric vehicle production also aligns with global trends towards sustainability, potentially positioning it as a leader in the segment. By listing in India, Hyundai aims not only to expand its operations but also to make India a global manufacturing and export hub for its products, especially SUVs and EVs. Therefore, despite early setbacks, Hyundai’s gamble seems to have paid off. The stock has rebounded, gaining 5% in the past month. More good news came in this week, as positive projections from Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan forecast an impressive 17-28% upside for the stock over the next year, reflecting growing investor optimism. <h3>A strategic pivot from the Korean Discount?</h3>The Korean Discount has long plagued South Korea’s chaebols, including Hyundai. Experts attribute this to several factors: <ul> <li>Chaebol Governance: South Korea’s conglomerates, known as chaebols, are often criticised for opaque governance structures and excessive family control.</li> <li>Geopolitical Risks: Tensions with North Korea contribute to investor caution, adding a layer of perceived risk.</li> <li>Limited Domestic Liquidity: South Korea’s relatively small investor base can constrain market activity and valuation potential.</li> </ul> By listing in India, Hyundai sought to unlock better valuations for its subsidiary, leveraging the optimism of Indian markets. India’s stock market has a trailing P/E ratio of 24.4, far above South Korea’s Kospi average of 16-17. The Indian market’s appetite for high-growth stories provides a fertile ground for companies like Hyundai to escape the valuation constraints of their home market. A successful IPO could encourage other such conglomerates to follow suit, setting a precedent. While Hyundai India has a robust track record, its future success hinges on navigating key challenges: <ul> <li>Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Hyundai relies heavily on its Chennai plant, making it vulnerable to disruptions.</li> <li>Intensifying Competition: Domestic rivals like <keyword id="19906967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata-motors" source="keywords">Tata Motors</keyword> and MG Motors are making aggressive inroads into the EV market.</li> <li>Policy Risks: The automotive sector’s reliance on government incentives for EVs and hybrids adds a layer of unpredictability.</li> </ul> High valuations come with risks. Hyundai will need to prove that it can sustain its growth trajectory in India, fend off competition from established players like Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors, and navigate challenges such as supply chain disruptions and regulatory hurdles. If Hyundai successfully capitalises on its strong brand and market leadership, it could not only redefine its value but also serve as a case study for other Korean companies seeking better recognition and valuations in global markets. <h3>Is Hyundai saga a reflection of overheated Indian markets?</h3>The bigger question here is, does Hyundai’s IPO highlights a broader narrative about Indian markets’ premium valuations? With a trailing P/E ratio of 24.4, Nifty 50 index is among the highest in emerging markets. India’s stock markets consistently command a premium due to robust retail participation, strong economic growth prospects, and a burgeoning middle class. While this premium reflects optimism about India’s long-term growth story, it also signals potential risks of overvaluation, particularly in sectors like technology, automotive, and consumer goods. With a record ₹94,017 crore outflow by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in October 2024, concerns about overheated valuations are mounting. Sustaining such unprecedented valuations required companies to consistently perform above global averages, and retaining robust earnings growth quarter after quarter remains a challenge in today’s uncertain world. For Hyundai, the high valuation is both an opportunity and a risk. While it underscores investor confidence, it narrows the margin of safety, making the stock vulnerable to corrections during economic downturns. Take for example, the high-profile IPO of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) that raised over ₹21,000 crore. Its listing was met with disappointment as the stock began trading at a 9% discount to its issue price, and subsequent performance has remained subdued. LIC’s post-IPO journey also highlights how inflated valuations can lead to long-term underperformance, as the stock gave only 12% return over the past 30 months when even the Nifty 50 index went up by over 44%. This happens when when the company's growth narrative fails to align with its pricing. Despite being a household name with a dominant market share, LIC's stock has struggled to meet expectations, partly due to concerns about its operating efficiency and the limited use of IPO proceeds for growth initiatives. Make no mistake, Hyundai Motor India’s IPO is a landmark event! It showcases the potential for Korean companies to leverage emerging markets like India for better valuations. It also shows that strong fundamentals can help justify a company such premium valuations even amidst bearish economic prospects. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of overvaluation. For Hyundai, the next steps involve proving its long-term growth story, navigating competitive challenges, and maintaining investor confidence. For Indian markets, Hyundai’s IPO underscores the need to balance optimism with realistic expectations as they continue to evolve as global investment hotspots. To sustain the country’s economic narrative as a land of unmatched opportunities, corporate India must work on improving long-term fundamentals and mitigating long-term risks. As global investors watch closely, Hyundai India’s success or failure could shape how international companies view India as a listing destination in the years to come.

Tackling the 'Korean Discount': A deep dive into curious case of Hyundai Motor India's market listing

<div type="image" title="In 2024, India has seen around $12.2 billion worth of IPOs, including mainboard and SMEs" msid="113878163" hostid="261" sizebytes="45300" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In 2024, India has seen around $12.2 billion worth of IPOs, including mainboard and SMEs&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Missing some action, adrenaline rush, and thrill in your life? Are the good old, albeit mundane money investment avenues like mutual funds and fixed deposits not making the cut for you? Want to experience a heart-pounding, financial rollercoaster that will constantly keep you and your portfolio on tenterhooks? Well then, welcome to the world of initial public offers (IPOs), especially those brought to you by SMEs, or <keyword id="6375845" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Small-and-Medium-Enterprises" source="Orion">small and medium enterprises</keyword>. Truth be told, <keyword id="19938687" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sme" source="keywords">SME</keyword> IPOs have been all over the bourses this year. So far, 2024 has seen 206 SMEs debuting on both BSE and NSE, out of which 146 listed in gains and 46 listed in losses. Odds seem good, right? In contrast, the year has only seen 63 IPOs from the elder brother i.e. mainboard, only 48 of which managed to post any listing gains. And getting an allotment has also been a major uncertainty, given the unusually high demand this year. <h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.7em; line-height: 1.3; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; background: 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">So, what's an <keyword id="5559702" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="SME-IPO" source="Orion">SME IPO</keyword>, you ask?</h2>Think of a mainboard company as Shah Rukh or Salman Khan—well-established, financially stable, strong legacy of profitability, and fairly well-known. On the other hand, SMEs are your Prateek Gandhi (Harshad Mehta, Scam 1992), Siddhant Chaturvedi (MC Sher, Gully Boy) or Avinash Tiwary (Majnu, Laila Majnu). While they are doing super well, they are yet to make it big like the Khans. They’re currently underdogs, lesser known, but who knows? They can be the next big thing in the future! And SME IPOs are getting a stellar reception. In 2023, 182 such IPOs had raised a substantial Rs 4,967 crore. In 2024, more than 200 companies have already raised over Rs 7,500 crore, and we have four months to go. This, with one quarter of the year still remaining. <div type="image" title="In 2024, India leads IPO activity in the Asia-Pacific region" height="900" width="1200" msid="113875643" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In 2024, India leads IPO activity in the Asia-Pacific region&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> But what does it take for a company to be classified as a small enterprise? The company has to have an annual turnover/income of up to Rs 50 crore, and for a medium enterprise to be called so, its annual income has to be up to Rs 250 crore. When such companies go public, in a bid to raise funds from investors and expand their operations, they launch an <keyword id="19898327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ipo" source="keywords">IPO</keyword>, but not on the main exchange, but separately, on NSE’s Emerge and BSE’s SME platform. As of September 2024, <keyword id="4484133" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NSE-Emerge" source="Orion">NSE Emerge</keyword> has 147 listed participants, while <keyword id="1885131" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BSE-SME" source="Orion">BSE SME</keyword> has 155 market makers. Mounting an SME’s IPO is comparatively less stringent than their mainboard counterparts, as far as regulations are concerned since their DRHPs (draft red herring prospectus) are not filed with SEBI. So, wouldn’t a lenient treatment make them inherently riskier? Why are they so appealing, you ask? <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/a-company-with-8-employees-looking-to-raise-12-crore-ended-up-getting-applications-worth-over-4700-crore/articleshow/112824522.cms">Delhi firm with just 8 employees seeks ₹12 crore via IPO, gets ₹4,700 crore worth of investor applications!</a> Well, for one, some of them have delivered exceptional returns—we’re talking 100%, 200%. Consider this—Owais Metal and Mineral Processing, which launched its IPO in February this year, delivered a whopping listing gain of 201%. Another SME, Maxposure, whose IPO was out in January 2024, had earned its investors listing gains worth 317.40%! Apparently, higher risks also mean higher returns, and also super high investment. Most SME IPOs need a minimum investment of Rs 1,00,000 or more, as opposed to mainboard IPOs, where you can buy one lot of shares for anywhere between Rs 14,000-15,000. Even the minimum trading lot size for SME shares is about 10,000. In short, you’d have to potentially empty your pockets to invest in an SME IPO. And still, there’s no guarantee that the listing will fill your wallets. For all you know, your pockets before and after the IPO is listed might stay the same - EMPTY! There's also the question of whether or not these SMEs are able to maintain their listing day mojo, or do they just fizzle out thereafter? Data from Prime Database highlights more instances of the latter. As of August 2024, about 166 SME IPOs had made it to the exchanges. Around 72 of them, or close to 50%, could not sustain their momentum going ahead, and were trading below their listing day prices. Consider this. The post listing gains of Medicamen Organics, whose IPO came out in June 2024, earned its investors massive listing gains of over 300%, by listing at Rs 137.85, significantly higher than its price issue price, which was set between Rs 32-34. But as of October 1, 2024, the stock was trading at Rs 64.2. Talk about falls. Additionally, risks of pump-and-dump, and illiquidity, among others makes SME IPOs dangerous See, you're largely venturing into unknown, pitch-dark territories, without much light to guide you. For starters, SME IPOs face less scrutiny from market watchdog SEBI. This also means they are able to list quickly, just 3-4 months. On the other hand, mainboard IPOs can take upto a year before they are cleared for listing. Also, there is far less information and disclosures available about their financials, fundamentals and performance to investors for making an informed decision, as compared to mainboard stocks. Then there’s the issue of illiquidity. Once purchased, you might find it hard to sell off your SME stocks, since they are not traded as frequently in the market, which means lower liquidity. Trivesh D, COO, Tradejini explains that liquidity is a major concern for such stocks. “These stocks typically have a smaller free float, and are traded in lots, which can lead to volatility and sharp price swings. This means it can be challenging for investors to buy or sell shares without significantly impacting prices. Additionally, speculative trading practices, like 'pump-and-dump' schemes, can inflate stock prices, leaving retail investors vulnerable to sudden drops”. Recently, SME IPOs have gained notoriety for price manipulation via showing fictitious sales and revenue in their books of accounts, selling of promoter holdings at inflated prices, and being the facade for many infamous pump and dump schemes. This is where select people create frenzy, or mass euphoria over a particular stock or company, causing its prices to soar, and then dumping them, or selling their shares at this massive price to make a killing! Infact, it's not just the promoters, but also the investment banks floating these IPOs. At present, SEBI is investigating around 6 investment banks which have allegedly charged SMEs a staggering 15% of funds raised via IPOs as fee, as opposed to the standard 1-3%. In March 2024, SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch had also highlighted witnessing signs of manipulation in the SME space. “We do see signs of manipulation in the SME segment. We are able to see certain patterns.” Buch had observed back then. Adds Kresha Gupta, Founder &amp; Director, StepTrade Share Services, “Investing in SME IPO comes with significant risks, despite their impressive returns in recent years. Limited participation from institutional investors and public in some SME IPOs also mean that those companies may lack the support and stability that comes with larger-scale investments” “Additionally, many SMEs may not have strong fundamentals to justify their valuations. High P/E ratios can be misleading, and while some IPOs have delivered impressive returns, they often come with significant volatility, continues D of Tradejini. <h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.3; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24px; list-style: none; background: 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">So, should I stay away?</h2>Yes, and No. Yes, if you don't want to do your homework of researching the company thoroughly beforehand. Anand K. Rathi, Co-Founder of MIRA Money suggests asking a couple of questions before investing your hard earned money: <ul><li>What is the company's financial performance over the past 3-4 years?</li><li>What is the company's governance structure?</li><li>Is the financial success driven by the IPO, or is it a result of consistent performance?</li><li>Does the company have what it takes to scale its operations to the next level?</li><li>Are the company’s promoters trustworthy, capable and experienced?</li><li>What is the level of participation by large, institutional investors?</li></ul> But staying away completely? Not necessary. Gupta adds that retail investors, in particular, should avoid viewing SME IPOs as quick money-makers based on their short-term performance, as this can certainly lead to poor investment decisions. “To mitigate risks, investors should always focus on long-term fundamentals rather than just short-term price movements. Key indicators include the participation of institutional investors like DIIs and FIIs. This often signals confidence in the stock”, she continues. A red flag you should look out for is if a company is only offering OFS, or Offer for Sale. This can indicate early investors looking to exit, potentially signaling weaker future growth. That's why it is better to look for companies which are raising capital for expansion purposes. This is a sign of healthy business growth prospects and improving fundamentals. In conclusion, backing the underdog, or SMEs, is not a bad proposition, but not without its risks. Investing in SME IPOs is like riding a unicorn—but you don't know whether you're riding it to rags or riches! So, take your pick.

SIMPLY PUT: Why investing in SME IPOs should not be on top of your adventure to-do list!

Missing some action, adrenaline rush, and thrill in your life? Are the good old, albeit mundane money investment avenues like mutual funds and fixed deposits not making the cut for you? Want to experience a heart-pounding, financial rollercoaster that will constantly keep you and your portfolio on tenterhooks? Well then, welcome to the world of initial public offers (IPOs), especially those brought to you by SMEs, or <keyword id="6375845" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Small-and-Medium-Enterprises" source="Orion">small and medium enterprises</keyword>. Truth be told, <keyword id="3704207" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="SME-IPOs" source="Orion">SME IPOs</keyword> have been all over the bourses this year. So far, 2024 has seen 206 SMEs debuting on both BSE and NSE, out of which 146 listed in gains and 46 listed in losses. Odds seem good, right? In contrast, the year has only seen 63 IPOs from the elder brother i.e. mainboard, only 48 of which managed to post any listing gains. And getting an allotment has also been a major uncertainty, given the unusually high demand this year. <h2>So, what's an SME <keyword id="6354763" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPO" source="Orion">IPO</keyword>, you ask?</h2>Think of a mainboard company as Shah Rukh or Salman Khan—well-established, financially stable, strong legacy of profitability, and fairly well-known. On the other hand, SMEs are your Prateek Gandhi (Harshad Mehta, Scam 1992), Siddhant Chaturvedi (MC Sher, Gully Boy) or Avinash Tiwary (Majnu, Laila Majnu). While they are doing super well, they are yet to make it big like the Khans. They’re currently underdogs, lesser known, but who knows? They can be the next big thing in the future! And SME IPOs are getting a stellar reception. In 2023, 182 such IPOs had raised a substantial Rs 4,967 crore. In 2024, more than 200 companies have already raised over Rs 7,500 crore, and we have four months to go. This, with one quarter of the year still remaining. <div type="image" title="In 2024, India leads IPO activity in the Asia-Pacific region" height="900" width="1200" msid="113875643" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In 2024, India leads IPO activity in the Asia-Pacific region&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> But what does it take for a company to be classified as a small enterprise? The company has to have an annual turnover/income of up to Rs 50 crore, and for a medium enterprise to be called so, its annual income has to be up to Rs 250 crore. When such companies go public, in a bid to raise funds from investors and expand their operations, they launch an IPO, but not on the main exchange, but separately, on NSE’s Emerge and BSE’s SME platform. As of September 2024, <keyword id="4484133" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NSE-Emerge" source="Orion">NSE Emerge</keyword> has 147 listed participants, while <keyword id="1885131" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BSE-SME" source="Orion">BSE SME</keyword> has 155 market makers. Mounting an SME’s IPO is comparatively less stringent than their mainboard counterparts, as far as regulations are concerned since their DRHPs (draft <keyword id="12225712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Red-herring-prospectus" source="Orion">red herring prospectus</keyword>) are not filed with SEBI. So, wouldn’t a lenient treatment make them inherently riskier? Why are they so appealing, you ask? <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/a-company-with-8-employees-looking-to-raise-12-crore-ended-up-getting-applications-worth-over-4700-crore/articleshow/112824522.cms">Delhi firm with just 8 employees seeks ₹12 crore via IPO, gets ₹4,700 crore worth of investor applications!</a> Well, for one, some of them have delivered exceptional returns—we’re talking 100%, 200%. Consider this—Owais Metal and Mineral Processing, which launched its IPO in February this year, delivered a whopping listing gain of 201%. Another SME, Maxposure, whose IPO was out in January 2024, had earned its investors listing gains worth 317.40%! Apparently, higher risks also mean higher returns, and also super high investment. Most SME IPOs need a minimum investment of Rs 1,00,000 or more, as opposed to mainboard IPOs, where you can buy one lot of shares for anywhere between Rs 14,000-15,000. Even the minimum trading lot size for SME shares is about 10,000. In short, you’d have to potentially empty your pockets to invest in an SME IPO. And still, there’s no guarantee that the listing will fill your wallets. For all you know, your pockets before and after the IPO is listed might stay the same - EMPTY! There's also the question of whether or not these SMEs are able to maintain their listing day mojo, or do they just fizzle out thereafter? Data from Prime Database highlights more instances of the latter. As of August 2024, about 166 SME IPOs had made it to the exchanges. Around 72 of them, or close to 50%, could not sustain their momentum going ahead, and were trading below their listing day prices. Consider this. The post listing gains of Medicamen Organics, whose IPO came out in June 2024, earned its investors massive listing gains of over 300%, by listing at Rs 137.85, significantly higher than its price issue price, which was set between Rs 32-34. But as of October 1, 2024, the stock was trading at Rs 64.2. Talk about falls. Additionally, risks of pump-and-dump, and illiquidity, among others makes SME IPOs dangerous See, you're largely venturing into unknown, pitch-dark territories, without much light to guide you. For starters, SME IPOs face less scrutiny from market watchdog SEBI. This also means they are able to list quickly, just 3-4 months. On the other hand, mainboard IPOs can take upto a year before they are cleared for listing. Also, there is far less information and disclosures available about their financials, fundamentals and performance to investors for making an informed decision, as compared to mainboard stocks. Then there’s the issue of illiquidity. Once purchased, you might find it hard to sell off your SME stocks, since they are not traded as frequently in the market, which means lower liquidity. Trivesh D, COO, Tradejini explains that liquidity is a major concern for such stocks. “These stocks typically have a smaller free float, and are traded in lots, which can lead to volatility and sharp price swings. This means it can be challenging for investors to buy or sell shares without significantly impacting prices. Additionally, speculative trading practices, like 'pump-and-dump' schemes, can inflate stock prices, leaving retail investors vulnerable to sudden drops”. Recently, SME IPOs have gained notoriety for price manipulation via showing fictitious sales and revenue in their books of accounts, selling of promoter holdings at inflated prices, and being the facade for many infamous <keyword id="10663340" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pump-and-Dump" source="Orion">pump and dump</keyword> schemes. This is where select people create frenzy, or mass euphoria over a particular stock or company, causing its prices to soar, and then dumping them, or selling their shares at this massive price to make a killing! Infact, it's not just the promoters, but also the investment banks floating these IPOs. At present, SEBI is investigating around 6 investment banks which have allegedly charged SMEs a staggering 15% of funds raised via IPOs as fee, as opposed to the standard 1-3%. In March 2024, SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch had also highlighted witnessing signs of manipulation in the SME space. “We do see signs of manipulation in the SME segment. We are able to see certain patterns.” Buch had observed back then. Adds Kresha Gupta, Founder &amp; Director, StepTrade Share Services, “Investing in SME IPO comes with significant risks, despite their impressive returns in recent years. Limited participation from institutional investors and public in some SME IPOs also mean that those companies may lack the support and stability that comes with larger-scale investments” “Additionally, many SMEs may not have strong fundamentals to justify their valuations. High P/E ratios can be misleading, and while some IPOs have delivered impressive returns, they often come with significant volatility, continues D of Tradejini. <h2>So, should I stay away? </h2>Yes, and No. Yes, if you don't want to do your homework of researching the company thoroughly beforehand. Anand K. Rathi, Co-Founder of MIRA Money suggests asking a couple of questions before investing your hard earned money: <ul><li>What is the company's financial performance over the past 3-4 years?</li><li>What is the company's governance structure?</li><li>Is the financial success driven by the IPO, or is it a result of consistent performance?</li><li>Does the company have what it takes to scale its operations to the next level?</li><li>Are the company’s promoters trustworthy, capable and experienced?</li><li>What is the level of participation by large, institutional investors?</li></ul> But staying away completely? Not necessary. Gupta adds that retail investors, in particular, should avoid viewing SME IPOs as quick money-makers based on their short-term performance, as this can certainly lead to poor investment decisions. “To mitigate risks, investors should always focus on long-term fundamentals rather than just short-term price movements. Key indicators include the participation of institutional investors like DIIs and FIIs. This often signals confidence in the stock”, she continues. A red flag you should look out for is if a company is only offering OFS, or Offer for Sale. This can indicate early investors looking to exit, potentially signaling weaker future growth. That's why it is better to look for companies which are raising capital for expansion purposes. This is a sign of healthy business growth prospects and improving fundamentals. In conclusion, backing the underdog, or SMEs, is not a bad proposition, but not without its risks. Investing in SME IPOs is like riding a unicorn—but you don't know whether you're riding it to rags or riches! So, take your pick.

Why investing in SME IPOs should not be on top of your adventure to-do list!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>SoftBank reported a $7.7 billion quarterly profit on Tuesday after a loss last year.</li><li>Gains in its tech bets come as it prepares to invest further in AI and eyes future IPOs.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/masayoshi-son-softbank-gambling-man-lionel-barber-technology-2024-9">SoftBank's</a> bets on AI and timely public listings have helped it post its biggest profits for two years, a year after posting losses in the billions.The Japanese technology conglomerate swung to a 1.18 trillion yen ($7.7 billion) profit on Tuesday. For the same period last year it reported a 931.1 billion yen ($6 billion) loss. Masayoshi Son's company — once associated with its notorious <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weworks-nightmare-ipo">failed bet on WeWork</a> and other lossmaking startups — pointed to gains made across its Vision Funds, its huge investment vehicles with both public and private holdings in tech companies.Gains for its Vision Fund 1, a $98.6 billion investment vehicle launched in 2016 with backing from Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth funds, totaled $3 billion in the second quarter. It reported strong performances in listed companies in its portfolio, such as Didi Chuxing, a Chinese version of Uber.Navneet Govil, chief financial officer at <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-softbank-vision-funds-awful-year-former-employees-rival-vcs-2022-12">SoftBank's Vision Funds</a>, told Business Insider that "macro tailwinds" such as US interest rate cuts and stimulus measures in China helped its public portfolio.Vision Fund 2, which made a $500 million investment in OpenAI last month, made a $900 million investment gain in the quarter due to growth in privately held portfolio companies such as Revolut.The UK-based fintech giant, which has won banking licenses in the UK and Mexico in recent months, is now valued at $45 billion. SoftBank invested in Revolt in 2021, when it was worth $33 billion.<h2 id="18d37cf2-1aaf-4020-8453-aa9f8c4b8cca">Tailwinds for IPO activity </h2>Listings in India of companies like Ola Electric have also provided a boost for SoftBank.Govil said SoftBank saw opportunities to realize future gains from IPOs after a period of stagnancy, adding that "rate cuts in the US and elsewhere are constructive developments because they effectively lower the cost of capital and provide a good tailwind for IPO activity."He continued: "We have a late-stage portfolio that's now valued at about $34 billion and some really high-quality companies which are leaders in their respected industries, from ByteDance to PayPay to Fanatics. They will all list when the time is right."Despite the investment gain, Vision Fund 2 has lost an overall total of $21 billion since its inception. The fund has been forced to grapple with a tougher interest rate environment in recent years and a slow <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/recent-upcoming-ipo-processes-stock-market-impact-outlook-reddit-astera-2024-4">IPO market.</a>The results come as SoftBank gears up for a huge investment spree in AI to realize Son's ambitious vision. Last month at SoftBank World — its annual customer event — the founder and CEO said he <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://group.softbank/en/event/earnings_2024q2?utm_source=pressmail&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=press1112#webcast02">hoped to achieve "artificial superintelligence"</a> within a decade.The 67-year-old Son, who made his original fortune with a timely bet on Alibaba, is hoping to create outsize returns in the generative AI era. He has already bet on buzzy companies such as Perplexity and chip firms trying to rival Nvidia, such as Graphcore and Arm.

SoftBank is betting on AI and an IPO revival after swinging to a $7.7 billion profit

Food and grocery delivery behemoth <keyword id="6358977" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swiggy" source="Orion">Swiggy</keyword> is on a roll, pushing out multiple new services simultaneously, ahead of the festive season, and its much-touted Rs 11,664 crore IPO. Experts anticipate the IPO to hit the bourses in the upcoming months. Earlier last week, the company's shareholders had approved of raising the fresh issue component of the IPO, from Rs 3,750 crore previously to Rs 5,000 crore. This will allow Swiggy to add an extra Rs 1,250 crores to its coffers for future growth. The remaining Rs 6,664 crore will be an OFS (offer for sale), largely paving a way for Swiggy's old investors to exit. In the buildup to its IPO, the delivery giant is dialing up the competitive fever big time with rival <keyword id="19901323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Zomato" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Zomato">Zomato</keyword>, which went public in 2021. Swiggy recently launched <keyword id="23440051" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="XL-Fleet" source="keywords">XL Fleet</keyword> for large-scale <keyword id="20299302" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-delivery" source="keywords">food delivery</keyword> and Bolt, which is an <keyword id="23461052" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-powered-logistics" source="keywords">AI-powered logistics</keyword> system. Per some media reports, the company is also launching an invite-only concierge membership program called the "Rare Club", which will have an annual fee of up to Rs 50,000. <h2>Who doesn't love a little pettiness? </h2>But that's not it. In the time being, Swiggy is also aggressively looking for ways to gain maximum public attention, one of which is by sponsoring the fourth season of the popular entrepreneurial reality show <keyword id="11924074" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shark-tank-india" source="Orion">Shark Tank India</keyword>. But here's the catch-a key condition of this deal is to not bring back Zomato CEO <keyword id="19901325" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="deepinder-goyal" source="keywords">Deepinder Goyal</keyword> as a shark. Media reports suggest that Swiggy is set to close on a massive Rs 40-60 crore sponsorship deal with the show. But in a seemingly low-ball move, Swiggy has blocked the return of Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal as one of the investors on the show. Goyal had made his debut on the third season of the show, and was looking to make a comeback alongside long-time regulars such as Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar and Peyush Bansal. <h2>Bolting ahead with XL</h2>In a move that clearly underlines its ambitious expansion plans, Swiggy also recently announced the launch of its new XL Fleet service, which will look to cater exclusively to bulk orders and large-scale food deliveries. Per Swiggy's co-founder Nandan Reddy, XL is a natural evolution of Swiggy's services. As it is, a recent report by Bain and Company highlighted that India's food services market is set to double to a massive Rs 9 trillion by 2030, surging up significantly from its current standing of Rs 5.5 trillion. Not just that, the customer base is also set to expand from 320-340 million as of 2023 to 430-450 million by the end of the decade. Earlier this year, Zomato had also stepped in this segment by launching its large-order electric fleet, which could serve orders for a gathering of up to 50 people. Alongside this, Swiggy has unveiled Bolt, which is an AI-powered logistics system specifically designed to optimize delivery routes, predict demand patterns, and improve overall operational efficiency. The aim is to bring down on delivery time and costs, giving Swiggy a massive competitive edge in the growing food and quick delivery market. With this feature, Swiggy claims that users can get certain meals such as burgers, <h2>Challenges Await </h2>As of FY24, Swiggy's operating revenue stood at ₹112.5 billion, a 36% jump from the previous year. The company also managed to reduce its net losses by as much as 44% to ₹23.5 billion. While these may come across as positive signs, which are also pushing the company's unlisted shares to new heights, Swiggy significantly lags behind Zomato in both food delivery and quick commerce segment. Consider this. Per Morgan Stanely, as of FY24, Swiggy's GOV (gross order value) at Rs 24,700 crore, was far lower than Zomato's Rs 32,200 crore. Swiggy's GOV and AOV grew at a CAGR of 15.5% and 2.5% respectively, between FY22-24. In contrast, Zomato's GOV and AOV registered a CAGR of 23% and 3.7%, respectively. At 12.7 million, Swiggy's MTU (monthly transacting users) for FY24 were also a far cry behind Zomato's 18.4 million. Even when it comes to average order value (AOV), Swiggy's Instamart lags behind Zomato's Blinkit. This is also why analysts believe that despite Swiggy narrowing the gap on most key metrics like AOV, GOV and more, the company's share will command a lower valuation than that of its rival Zomato.

Ahead of much awaited IPO, what is Swiggy upto? Launching XL Fleet, premium membership and kicking out Zomato CEO

Over the past few months, there’s been a lot of brouhaha about the lagging pace of bank deposits in India. Simply put, the rate at which Indians are depositing their hard-earned money in banks has been falling constantly, and some blame the increasing financialization of household savings in the country, or the rising preference of Indians towards mutual funds and shares. So, the hypothesis is that people are choosing to invest more in mutual funds and the Indian equity markets through direct investments, IPOs, or NFOs, the money flowing into Indian banks in the form of deposits is slowing down. But is that really the case? <h2>A crisis or a phase?</h2><keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> data suggested that for the quarter ended June 2024, bank deposits grew at 11.7%. On the other hand, credit growth has outpaced this at 15%. This means that the outflow from banks as loans is far greater than the inflow into them in the form of deposits in Q1 of FY 2024-25. The situation largely saw cut-copy-paste in the first week of September as well, with loans registering a 13.3% YoY growth during the period, while deposits rose only 11.1%. This gap has only been widening for the last 3 years. Since deposits are how banks gather assets to further lend and earn interest income as a consequence, even a slight dip could set the alarm bells ringing for banks, and rightfully so. And truth be told, mutual funds are indeed taking on bank deposits in a big way. Per a report by <keyword id="20250971" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="franklin-templeton" source="keywords">Franklin Templeton</keyword>, in August 2024, the AUM (assets under management) of Indian mutual funds, or the total funds managed by them, stood at 31.3% of total bank deposits in the country, up from 24.20% during the year-ago period. As of August 2024, the AUM of mutual funds stood at Rs 66.17 lakh crore, an all-time high. But all said and done, is this really the reason why the rate of bank deposits is falling behind? SBI has dismissed this to be a “statistical myth”, and experts point out that since equity and fund houses also keep the cash in their respective bank accounts, there’s no cause for concern. So, is financialization really to be blamed for the trailing tempo of deposits? Or is something else happening behind the scenes? We take a closer look: <h2>First, are <keyword id="4000333" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="household-deposits" source="Orion">household deposits</keyword> really slowing down? And is that a cause of concern?</h2>Data from Motilal Oswal suggests the contrary. Deposits grew by around 10.4% between March 2020 and August 2024. Data from RBI also highlights that as of August 9, 2024, bank deposits witnessed a YoY growth of 10.8%. The loan-to-deposit ratio for the retail segment, which indicates what percentage of its total deposits the banks lend out as loans, has stayed at 77.5%, above the 77% mark for the tenth straight month. Also, we can’t forego the fact that the share of Indian <keyword id="20319599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="households" source="keywords">households</keyword> in bank deposits has indeed slowed down. However, data from Axis AMC shows that the dip is marginal—from 63% in 2022 to 62% in 2023 and 61% in 2024. What has slowed down even more considerably is the share of government deposits in the aggregate bank deposits, which has dipped from 14% in 2018 to 9% in 2024. So, it's not just household deposits, you see. Moreover, as of March 2024, the collective CASA ratio (current and savings account deposits) of all commercial banks in India stood at 41.00%, down from 43.1% in March 2023 and 45.2% in March 2022, marking a nearly 5% point decline over the past year, while still staying over the 10-year average of 39.2%. This implies that Indian banks are relying more on higher-cost funds (savings accounts), which can limit their profitability. <h2>What is this financialisation of savings we are talking about?</h2>Then again, there is no doubt about the growing affinity of Indians towards mutual funds and stock markets. Recent data from CBDT (<keyword id="19942037" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="central-board-of-direct-taxes" source="keywords">Central Board of Direct Taxes</keyword>) highlights that India’s net direct tax collection surged by around 22%, driven exclusively by the significant uptick in the collection of <keyword id="20930760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="securities-transaction-tax" source="keywords">Securities Transaction Tax</keyword> (STT), which doubled to Rs 26,154 crore, from Rs 13,352 crore in the year-ago period. Why does this matter? STT is levied when you buy or sell equity shares on stock exchanges, sell equity mutual funds, and trade in futures and options in the equity segment. Such taxes, including the multiple other taxes in equity market investments, are considered as leakages as the money moves out of the economy into government coffers. Data from a ValueQuest report explains that over the last 20 years, the markets have handsomely rewarded the investors, generating over $900 billion in incremental value for them. This is the major driver behind the dramatic rise in investment flowing towards the equity markets. There’s further proof of this budding romance, if you check the demat pudding. The number of demat accounts, which are a primary requisite for participating in the stock markets, also burgeoned by 42.3 lakh in August 2024, taking India’s total tally of demat accounts beyond 17 crore. To put this in perspective, this is almost equivalent to the population of just 8 nations in the world, including China, the US, Brazil and more. Vivek Iyer, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat thinks it's rather important, as well. “Financialisation of household savings in India is an indication of deepening capital markets in the market, especially from a retail investor standpoint. Bank deposits with a modest rate of return are no longer the only option for savings for investors. Investors today have more avenues for wealth creation in the form of public capital markets, which have democratized wealth creation and provided equality of opportunity to retail investors”, he says. Yes, Indians are investing more and more in the markets, and in mutual funds. But is it a sin to look out for inflation-beating returns, which the stock markets offer, and vanilla bank deposits don't? After all, the allure of 12-13% annual returns offered by equities can certainly pale the stability offered by good old deposits, which generally do not go beyond 9% when it comes to annual returns. But all of this is not what is behind the slowdown. India is still a toddler in the school of savings financialization, with less than 10% of the population holding a demat account, and less than 5% of us saving in equities. That's a drop in the ocean of deposits, far inadequate to trigger a tsunami. <h2>Tell me why lagging deposits have nothing to do with Indians investing more in mutual funds!</h2>Says Shweta Rajani, Head - Mutual Funds, Anand Rathi Wealth Limited, “Households' equity holdings composition grew from 11.1% in FY 23 to 14.7% in FY 24. This trend reflects a growing awareness of investment options, empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures. Despite this transition towards equities, banks still hold a significant share of household financial savings—33.5% in FY24 compared to 34.9% in FY23”. Also, household savings and their subsequent financialization do not have much to do with deposit creation, which is entirely made by banks. What actually drives increased deposits is credit growth or increased lending. When interest rates are eased, people tend to borrow more and spend more, which circulates more money in the economy. For the past 4 years, RBI has been tightening the screws on interest rates, which raises the cost of borrowings, and makes it more expensive to take loans, putting a dampener on credit growth, but effectively curbing inflationary pressures. The last time RBI cut the repo rate by 40 basis points was back in May 2020, 4 years ago. The lag in deposit growth we’re witnessing is almost 3 years old. Coincidence much, or just good old economics at work? But with the <keyword id="19900043" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fed" source="keywords">Fed</keyword> recently setting a rate cut precedent by slashing 50 bps off its interest rate, RBI is expected to follow suit in the next <keyword id="19918491" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mpc" source="keywords">MPC</keyword> (Monetary Policy Committee) meeting, scheduled for November 2024. A rate cut would ease the aforementioned high cost of borrowing, and increase loan-taking for corporates and institutional investors, thereby stoking consumption in the economy. And then, deposit creation in banks is likely to return to its former glory. If not, then that would be a curious case to unravel! But that worry is for another day.

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Do large IPOs guarantee large returns? Data suggests that 18 of India's biggest 30 IPOs did not generate solid returns

Ira Alok Puranik

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SIMPLY PUT: Why investing in SME IPOs should not be on top of your adventure to-do list!

Ira Alok Puranik

Why investing in SME IPOs should not be on top of your adventure to-do list!

BI India Bureau

SoftBank is betting on AI and an IPO revival after swinging to a $7.7 billion profit

Hasan Chowdhury

Ahead of much awaited IPO, what is Swiggy upto? Launching XL Fleet, premium membership and kicking out Zomato CEO

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A Deposit Dilemma — What's the fuss about a crisis in Indian bank deposits? Are mutual fund investments to blame?

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