Author

John

167 Articles

Have you ever wondered how ordinary investors like you can get in on the ground floor of a promising company? That's where investing in IPOs comes in. An Initial Public Offering represents a pivotal moment when a private company opens its doors to public investors, offering a unique chance to participate in its growth story from day one. Let me show you how navigating the world of IPO investments doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're a salaried professional looking to diversify your portfolio, a student building your first investment knowledge, or an entrepreneur seeking new opportunities, understanding the risks and rewards of IPOs is essential. In my experience, the investors who succeed are those who approach IPOs with a balanced perspective—embracing opportunity while respecting the challenges. What Is an IPO and Why Should You Care? Initial Public Offering (IPO) is when a private company decides to raise capital by selling shares to the general public for the first time. Think of it this way: imagine a successful startup has grown significantly, and the founders need funds to expand further. Instead of borrowing from banks or seeking more investors privately, they take the company public through an IPO. When a company launches an IPO, several things happen simultaneously: The company gains access to capital for growth, expansion, or debt repayment Early investors and founders get a chance to partially exit and realize their returns Retail investors like you get an opportunity to own a piece of a business The company gains credibility and visibility in the market The Indian IPO market has seen explosive growth recently. In FY25 alone, 80 mainboard IPOs raised Rs 1,630 billion—a dramatic increase from Rs 619 billion the previous year. This surge reflects growing investor confidence and numerous opportunities. But here's the critical question: Are these opportunities worth the risks? The Attractive Rewards of IPO Investing Before we discuss the risks, let's explore why millions of Indians are drawn to investing in IPOs. The rewards can be genuinely compelling. 1. Listing Gains and Quick Profits One of the most exciting aspects of IPOs is the potential for listing gains—profits made on the very first day of trading. If you apply for an IPO at the offer price and the company lists at a higher price, you could see immediate gains. For context, approximately 76% of mainboard IPOs in 2025 had positive listings, meaning investors saw profits right away. Imagine this scenario: You invest ₹50,000 in an IPO at ₹100 per share (500 shares). On listing day, the stock opens at ₹130. Your investment is now worth ₹65,000—a ₹15,000 profit in seconds, without needing to do any active trading. 2. Early Entry Advantage IPO investments give you the advantage of buying shares at the initial offer price before the market decides the "true value." Early investors who pick the right companies can benefit significantly as the business grows and the stock price appreciates over time. In my experience, the real wealth in IPOs isn't always made on day one—it's built over months and years as the company executes its growth plans. Companies going public typically have compelling expansion stories, innovative products, or strong market positions that attract long-term value creation. 3. Enhanced Liquidity Once a company lists, you gain the ability to buy or sell shares freely in the open market during trading hours. Unlike owning shares in a private company (where you might struggle to find a buyer), public stocks offer immediate liquidity. You're never locked in—if you need funds, you can sell your holdings anytime. 4. Fair Opportunities for Retail Investors SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has implemented specific protections to ensure retail investors get fair treatment in IPOs. Remarkably, every retail investor with an application is entitled to at least one lot of shares if available. This mandatory allocation ensures that small investors aren't entirely squeezed out by institutional buyers. 5. Dividends and Long-Term Wealth Many companies that go public eventually distribute dividends to shareholders from their profits. This creates a dual benefit: you earn from share price appreciation and regular dividend income. For retirees and conservative investors, this income stream can be particularly valuable. 6. Participating in Company Growth There's something deeply satisfying about owning a piece of a company you believe in. When a company you've invested in through an IPO achieves milestones—launches new products, expands internationally, or increases market share—you directly benefit as a shareholder. The Critical Risks You Must Understand Now, let's talk about what keeps many financial advisors up at night: the risks of IPO investing. These aren't theoretical—they're grounded in real market data and investor experiences. 1. Overvaluation and Overheated Markets This is perhaps the most common pitfall. Media hype, institutional promotion, and FOMO (fear of missing out) can create unrealistic expectations about an IPO's true value. Companies eager to raise maximum capital, along with underwriters incentivized by large deals, often price IPOs optimistically. Here's the sobering reality: 43% of mainboard IPOs listed in 2024 are still trading below their issue price. Even worse, 41% of SME IPOs are trading significantly below their issue price with average losses around -31%. This means nearly half of all IPO investors in some categories have experienced losses, not gains. 2. Extreme Volatility in Early Trading Newly listed stocks can swing wildly in price during their first few weeks or months. This volatility isn't based on fundamental business changes—it's driven by trading psychology, profit-taking, and market sentiment shifts. Why does this matter? If you invest with the intention of holding long-term but panic during these price swings, you might sell at the worst possible time and lock in losses. Successful IPO investors develop emotional resilience and patience. 3. No Guarantee of Allotment Here's a hard truth: Just because you apply for an IPO doesn't mean you'll get shares. In oversubscribed offerings (which are common in India), shares are distributed through a lottery system. You could miss out entirely, or get allocated fewer shares than you requested. This unpredictability can be frustrating, but it also teaches an important lesson: never put all your investment eggs in one IPO basket. 4. Business and Market Risks An IPO doesn't guarantee a company's success. Market conditions change rapidly. Economic downturns, increased competition, management changes, or execution failures can all devastate a recently listed company's stock price. In my experience, many IPO investors underestimate business risk. They focus on listing day returns and ignore fundamental questions: Does the company have a sustainable business model? Can it compete effectively? Is the management experienced? 5. Dilution and Future Equity Raises After going public, companies might raise additional capital through secondary offerings, bonus share issuances, or stock splits. While these can sometimes be positive long-term, they dilute existing shareholders' ownership percentage in the short term. 6. Liquidity Can Disappear While established stocks have enormous trading volumes, smaller company stocks (especially from lesser-known IPOs) can experience periods of illiquidity. If you need to sell urgently but there are few buyers, you might face significant losses. 7. Market Cycles and Timing IPO activity tends to concentrate during bull markets when investor sentiment is euphoric. When markets turn bearish, IPOs underperform dramatically. If you invest during market peaks, you could be stuck with losses for years. How to Apply for an IPO: A Step-by-Step Guide Understanding the risks is crucial, but so is knowing how to invest in IPOs practically. The process is more straightforward than many believe. Prerequisites: What You Need Before applying for even one IPO, ensure you have these three essentials: Demat Account (Dematerialized Account) This electronic account holds your shares in digital form. Without it, you cannot receive or sell IPO shares. Opening a Demat account is simple—visit any major bank or NBFC. You'll need your PAN card, Aadhaar, address proof, and identity proof. Trading Account A trading account with a registered broker enables you to place buy/sell orders. Many brokers now offer integrated Demat + Trading accounts, making the setup seamless. Bank Account Linked to Your Demat Your bank account is the source of funds for IPO applications and the destination for allotment and refunds. The Application Process Step 1: Research the IPO Before applying, read the prospectus thoroughly. Understand the company's business, financial health, growth plans, and the use of funds raised. Ask yourself: Does this company excite me as a long-term investment? Step 2: Log Into Your Trading Platform or Bank Portal Most brokers and banks offer easy online IPO application facilities through their websites or mobile apps. Some brokers also allow telephone applications. Step 3: Select the IPO Choose the offering you wish to invest in. For each IPO, there's a price band (a range within which you can bid). Step 4: Decide on Your Investment Amount Determine how many shares (or lots) you want to apply for. Remember, IPOs typically have minimum lot sizes (e.g., 25 shares per lot). Retail investors can bid up to ₹2 lakhs. Step 5: Place Your Bid For fixed-price IPOs, the price is predetermined—you simply choose the quantity For book-building IPOs, you bid within the price band, and the final price is determined after the bidding period closes Step 6: Complete Payment You can pay through: ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount): The amount is blocked in your bank account but only debited if you receive allotment UPI (for retail investors): Quick and seamless Online banking: Direct debit from your account Step 7: Wait for Allotment After the bidding closes, the exchange allocates shares. You'll receive a unique IPO application number to track status. Step 8: Receive Shares and Start Trading If allotted, shares appear in your Demat account within 10 working days. On listing day, you can sell immediately or hold for long-term gains. Strategies for Smart IPO Investing Now that you understand the process, let me share practical strategies to improve your IPO investing outcomes. 1. Follow the Fundamentals Don't let FOMO override common sense. Before applying, research: Company financials and profitability Revenue growth trends Competitive positioning Management quality and experience Use of IPO funds Debt levels A company with strong fundamentals might trade below its issue price initially due to market sentiment but recover strongly over time. 2. Apply Selectively, Not to Every IPO The temptation to apply for every IPO is strong, but discipline matters. Invest only in IPOs where you genuinely understand the business and believe in its potential. Quality over quantity always wins. 3. Prepare for Volatility Listing day returns can be euphoric or devastating. Don't make emotional decisions based on day-one performance. Many investors who panic-sold on weak listing days later regretted missing out on long-term gains. 4. Diversify Your IPO Exposure Don't put your entire investment corpus into a single IPO. Spread your IPO investments across different sectors and company sizes to manage risk. 5. Have a Time Horizon Decide upfront: Are you investing for quick listing gains or long-term wealth creation? This clarity will help you stay the course during market turbulence. 6. Use Your Demat Account Strategically Link multiple bank accounts to diversify your funding sources and increase your chances of IPO allotment across different applications. However, remember SEBI's rule: you can submit only one IPO application per PAN (Permanent Account Number). Key Takeaways: Making the Right Decision Investing in IPOs isn't inherently good or bad—it's about matching the opportunity with your financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment goals. Aspect Key Point Best For Investors with moderate-to-high risk tolerance, long-term horizon, and sufficient capital Avoid If You need funds urgently, panic easily during volatility, or lack investment fundamentals knowledge Realistic Returns Listing gains vary wildly; long-term wealth creation depends on company execution Typical Timeline Allotment (10 days) → Listing (varies) → Hold/Sell (your choice) Critical Question Would you buy this company's stock if it were already listed at the offer price? Your Next Steps to Get Started Ready to explore IPO investing? Here's your action plan: Open a Demat account if you haven't already (choose a trusted broker or bank) Read the RHP (Red Herring Prospectus) of upcoming IPOs to understand the business Start small with one or two IPO applications to gain experience Monitor your allotments and track performance post-listing Learn from each IPO cycle—refine your criteria and decision-making process Remember: In my experience, successful IPO investors treat each opportunity with both optimism and skepticism. They ask tough questions, prepare thoroughly, and embrace the long-term perspective. Investing in IPOs can be rewarding, but only when you approach it with knowledge, patience, and realistic expectations. The stock market and IPOs will continue evolving. Your job is to evolve with it—always learning, always questioning, and always staying grounded in fundamentals.

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