Join guests from Amic Forging, an SME IPO market leader, Bondada Engineering, and Resourceful Automobiles, which has seen meteoric gains in IPOs. They delve into the explosive growth of India's SME IPO market, noting both its impressive returns and the lurking volatility. The discussion highlights the surge in retail participation, regulatory concerns, and the crucial need for due diligence. Fears of a bubble are tempered by a contrarian perspective on valuations and strategies to navigate potential risks. It's a captivating exploration of boom versus bubble!
The SME IPO market in India has seen unprecedented growth with a 176% rise in the BSE SME IPO index and remarkable returns for retail investors.
Concerns surrounding market volatility and potential manipulation highlight the necessity for increased regulatory oversight to protect investors.
Deep dives
The Surge of SME IPOs
The listed SME space has experienced significant growth, with the BSE SME IPO index rising by 176% in just one year and an astonishing 6,376% over the past five years. Retail investor participation has surged from a mere 408 applications for SME IPOs in 2019 to over 213,000 applications in the recent fiscal year. Companies like Amic Forging and Bondada Engineering have provided remarkable returns of 1,138% and 843%, respectively, since their listings, contributing to the excitement surrounding this market. This explosion in SME IPOs reflects a larger trend where about two-thirds of the 166 listed IPOs in 2024 have generated at least a 50% return for investors, showcasing the potential for substantial gains.
Risks of Volatility and Manipulation
Despite the impressive gains, the volatility inherent in many SME IPOs raises concerns about market stability and the potential for manipulation. Some companies experience dramatic price fluctuations post-listing, like Varia Creations, which initially surged by 80% before plummeting by 69%. Similar patterns have emerged with Euphoria Infotec and Medica Man Organic, highlighting the risks of investing in stocks that may not sustain their market value. Regulatory bodies have started to take notice of these trends and the associated risks, indicating that there may be a need for more stringent oversight to protect investors in this rapidly evolving space.
The Role of Market Makers and Valuation Concerns
Market makers have a crucial role in the SME space, influencing both liquidity and the perceived stability of these stocks. Their involvement can lead to inflated valuations, particularly when companies are listed at prices that do not accurately reflect their earnings potential or market conditions. Concerns have been raised that some market makers prioritize their business interests, potentially leading to orchestrated hype around certain IPOs that might not be justified by the companies' financials. As SMEs increasingly capture investor interest, it is essential for regulators to consider tighter guidelines to maintain market integrity and ensure that investors are aware of the risks involved.
India's SME IPO market is on a tear, with companies like Amic Forging, Bondada Engineering, and Resourceful Automobiles delivering triple-digit gain multiples and driving a 176% surge in the BSE SME IPO index over the past year. Retail participation is at an all-time high, with applications soaring from 408 in 2019 to over 2.13 lakh per IPO today. But behind the headlines, concerns are growing. Volatility and rapid price swings have sparked debate about whether this is a healthy market or a bubble waiting to burst.
In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury is joined by ET Prime Reporter Himadri Buch, Capital Mind’s Deepak Shenoy, and IIM Calcutta Professor Sudhakara Reddy to analyse the drivers behind the SME IPO boom, the emerging risks, and what regulators are watching closely.
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