TIBREWALA ELECTRONICS LIMITED
NOTE ON PUBLIC ISSUE
(A) INTRODUCTION
Every Company needs funds for its business. Funds requirement can be for short term
or for long term. To meet short term requirements, the may approach banks, lenders &
may even accept fixed deposits from public/shareholders. To meet its long term
requirements, funds can be raised either through loans from lenders, Banks, Institutions
etc. (which carry financial burden) or through issue of capital. Capital can be raised
through private placement of shares, public issue, right issue etc. Public issue means
raising funds from public. Promoters of the Company may have plans for the Company,
which may require infusion of money. The main purpose of the public issue, amongst
others, is to raise money through public and get its shares listed at any of the recognized
stock exchanges in India.
ADVANTAGES OF PUBLIC ISSUE
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Money non-refundable except in the case of winding up or buy back of shares.
No financial burden i.e. no fixed rate of interest payable. However, in order to
service the equity, dividend may be paid.
Enhance shareholders’ value if the Company performs well.
Greater Transferability.
Trading & Listing of securities at stock exchanges.
Better liquidity of securities.
Helps building reputation of promoters, Company & its products/services,
provided the Company performs well.,
DIS-ADVANTAGES OF PUBLIC ISSUE
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Time consuming process.
Expensive.
Several legal formalities.
Involvement of many intermediateries.
Transparency requirements and public disclosure of information may lead to lack
of privacy.
Continuous compliance of provisions of listing agreement and other legal
requirements.
Constant scrutiny of performance by investors.
May lead to takeover of the company
Securities of the Company may be made subjective to speculative attacks.
APPLICABLE LAWS
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Provisions of the Companies Act, 1956.
Securities Contracts (Regulations) Act, 1956.
SEBI rules & regulations
Compliance of Listing Agreement with the concerned stock exchanges after the
listing of securities.
RBI regulations in case of foreign/NRI equity participation.
(B) ENTRY NORMS-WHO CAN COME OUT WITH A PUBLIC ISSUE
Entry norms for the Public Issue are governed by the SEBI Guidelines, SEBI (Disclosure
for Investor and Protection) Guidelines, 2000. SEBI, keeping in view the objective of
greater transparency, investor protection and development of capital market, has from
time to time amended the entry norms for Companies to come out with the public issue.
Entry norms are categorized into the following:
1. Unlisted Companies
2. Listed Companies.
UNLISTED COMPANIES
Unlisted Companies are those public limited Companies which are presently not listed at
any of the recognized stock exchanges in India. The shares of such Companies are
therefore not traded at any stock exchanges in India.
Presently, there are two options available for the unlisted companies to come out with
public issue:
1ST OPTION
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The Company has net tangible assets of at least Rs. 3 crores in each of the
preceding 3 full years of which not more than 50% is held in monetary assets.
It should have a track record of distributable profits for at least 3 out of
immediately 5 years and
The pre-issue net worth (i.e. net worth before the issue) should be at least Rs.
1.00 crore in each of the preceding 3 years.
The issue size (includes offer to public, firm allotment, promoters’ contribution through
offer documents) should not exceed 5 times its pre-issue net worth as per the last
available audited accounts.
2nd OPTION
An unlisted Company not complying with any of the conditions specified above may
make initial public offer if it meets both the following conditions:
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The issue is made through the book-building process, with at least 50% of the
issue size being allotted to Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) failing which the
full subscription monies shall be refunded.
OR
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He “project” has at least 15% participation by Financial Institutions/Scheduled
commercial banks of which at least 10% comes from appraiser. In addition to
this, at least 10% of the issue size shall be allotted to QIBs, failing which the full
subscription monies shall be refunded.
AND
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The minimum post-issue face value capital of the Company shall be Rs. 10 crore.
OR
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There shall be a compulsory market-making for at least 2 years.
LISTED COMPANIES
Listed Companies are those which are presently listed on any one or more recognized
Stock Exchange in India. The securities of such companies are traded on such stock
exchange where they are traded.
All listed companies can come out with further public issue provided the net worth of the
Company after the proposed issue is less than 5 times the net worth prior to the issue.
(C) ROLE OF SEBI-REGULATORY BODY
The SEBI Act came in to force on 30th January 1992 and with its establishment, all public
issues are governed by the rules & regulations issued by SEBI.
SEBI was formed to promote fair dealing in issue of securities and to ensure that the
capital markets function efficiently, transparently and economically in the better interests
of both the issuers and the investors.
The promoters should be able to raise funds at a relatively low cost. At the same time,
investors must be protected from unethical practices and their rights must be
safeguarded so that there is a steady flow of savings in to the market. There must be
proper regulation and code of conduct and fair practice by intermediaries to make them
competitive and professional.
Under the umbrella of SEBI, companies issuing shares are free to fix the premium
provided adequate disclosure is made in the offer documents. Focus being the greater
investor protection, SEBI has become a vigilant watchdog.
(D) ROLE OF INTERMEDIARIES
Many intermediaries are involved in connection with the public issue. Following are the
intermediaries who have to be registered with SEBI and must have valid certificate from
SEBI to act as an intermediaries:
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Merchant Bankers
Registrar & Share Transfer Agents
Bankers to the issue
Underwriters
Stock Brokers and sub-brokers
Depositories.
Merchant Bankers
Play the most vital role amongst all intermediaries. They assist the Company right from
preparing prospectus to the listing of securities at the stock exchanges. Merchant
bankers have to satisfy themselves about the correctness and propriety of all the
information provided in the prospectus. It is mandatory for them to carry due diligence for
all the information provided in the prospectus and they must issue a certificate to this
effect to SEBI. A Company may appoint more than one Merchant Banker provided the
Merchant Bankers are properly structured.
Underwriters
Are those intermediaries who underwrite the securities offered to the public. In case
there is undersubscription (in short, the company does not receive good response from
public and amount received from is less than the size), underwriters subscribe to the
unsubscribed amount so that the issue is successful.
Registrar & Transfer Agent
Processes all applications received from the public and prepare the basis of allotment.
The dispatch of share certificates/refund orders are handled by them.
Bankers to the Issue
Are banks which accept application from the public on behalf of the Company. These
applications are then forwarded to Registrar & Share Transfer Agent for further
processing.
Stock Brokers & Sub-brokers
Are those intermediaries who through their contacts/sources invite the public for
subscribing shares for which they get commission.
Depositories
Are those intermediaries who holds securities in dematerialized form on behalf of the
shareholders.
(E) PROSPECTUS
“prospectus” is the most important document for the Company to come out with a
public issue. Pursuant to section 2(36) of the Companies Act, 1956, “Prospectus” means
any document described or issued as a prospectus and includes any notice, circular,
advertisement or other document inviting deposits from public or inviting offers from
public for subscription or purchase of any share in or debentures of a body corporate.
Prospectus is a document by way of which the investor gets all the information
pertaining to the Company in which they are going to invest. It gives the detailed
information about the Company, Promoter/Directors, group companies, capital structure,
terms of the present issue, details of proposed project, particulars of the issue etc.
Vetting by SEBI/Stock Exchanges
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A Company can not come out with public issue unless draft prospectus is filed
with SEBI.
A company cannot file prospectus directly with SEBI. It has to be filed through a
merchant banker. After the preparation of prospectus, the merchant banker along
with the due diligence certificates and other compliances sends the same to
SEBI for vetting.
SEBI on receiving the same, scrutinizes it and may suggest changes within 21
days of receipt of prospectus. (earlier the situation was that the company was
required to obtain acknowledgement card from SEBI)
However, now the concept of obtaining acknowledgement card has been
removed and the company can come out with public issue any time within 365
days from the date of the letter from SEBI or if no letter is received from SEBI,
within 365 days from the date of expiry of 21 days of submission of prospectus
with SEBI.
If the issue size is up to Rs. 20.00 crores, then the merchant bankers are
required to file prospectus with the regional office of SEBI falling under the
jurisdiction in which the registered office of the Company is situated.
If the issue size is more than Rs. 20 crores, merchant bankers are required to file
prospectus at SEBI, Mumbai office.
Prospectus is also required to be filed with the concerned stock exchanges along
with the application for listing its securities. Presently, Companies approaching
the stock exchanges for public issues should obtain in-principal approval from
such stock exchanges.
Date of Prospectus and ROC Card
After making changes, if any made by SEBI / Stock Exchanges, the final Prospectus
duly signed by all the Directors (Or by Authorized Representatives through its Power of
Attorney) must be filed with ROC along with the copy of all material documents.
ROC may suggest changes which should also be reported to SEBI/Stock Exchanges.
The date on which ROC Card is obtained is the date of the prospecus.
(F) PROMOTER’S CONTRIBUTION & LOCK-IN REQUIREMENT
Some specific provisions have been inserted with regard to the contribution of the
promoters in the capital of the Company.
Promoters contribution should be a minimum 20% of the post issue capital. In order to
calculate the minimum 20%, following shares allotted to promoters during last 3 years
before filing prospectus with SEBI will not be included:
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Shares acquired for consideration other than cash and revaluation of assets or
capitalization of intangible assets.
Shares allotted on account of bonus issue, out of revaluation reserves or
reserves without accrual of cash resources.
Shares allotted at a price lower than the price at which equity is being offered to
public during the preceding one year.
Applications received for less than Rs. 25000 per applicant in case of each
individual and Rs. 1 lakh from firms and companies.
Promoters Contribution to be brought in before the issue
Promoters are required to bring the full amount of promoters’ contribution at least one
day prior to the opening of public issue and should be kept in an escrow account with a
scheduled bank. The said amount shall be released after the finalization of the basis of
allotment with the proceeds of public issue.
However, if the promoters’ contribution has been brought prior to the public issue and
has been utilized by the Company, the Company is required to insert cash flow
statement in the prospectus in this regard disclosing the use of such fund received from
the promoters.
If the minimum promoters’ contribution exceed Rs. 100 crores, the promoters are
required to bring at least Rs. 100 crores before the opening date of public issue and the
balance contribution can be bought by the promoters in advance on pro rata before calls
are made to the public.
Lock in Requirements
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The eligible promoters’ contribution is locked in for 3 years.
The entire pre-issue share capital, other than that locked-in as promoters’
contribution, shall be locked-in for a period of one year.
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All the securities issued on firm allotment basis shall be locked-in for a period of
one year.
The date of the lock-in shall be reckoned from the date of commencement of
commercial production or the date of allotment in the public issue, whichever is
later.
The shares held by promoters and are loked-in may be pledged with banks or
financial institutions for loans, provided the pledge of shares is one of the terms
of the sanction of loan.
The locked-in shares held by promoters can be transferred between promoters
provided they are disclosed as promoters in the prospectus and there would be
no change in the period of lock-in.
(G) RESERVATION AND FIRM ALLOTMENT
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Public issue should be at least 25% of the post issue capital (in case of unlisted
company)
Public issue should be at least 25% of the issue size (in case of listed company)
The above is relaxed in case of public issue of unlisted companies in information
technology sector where at least 10% of the securities may be offered to public
subject to (i) 20 lacs securities are offered to public and (ii) issue size is minimum
Rs. 50 crores.
The Company can reserve shares in the issue on competitive basis wherein
allotment of shares is made in proportion to the shares applied for by the
concerned reserved categories which can be categorized as follows:
1. Permanent Employees including working directors and in case of new
company the permanent employees of promoting company.
2. Shareholders of the promoting company in case of new company and
shareholders of group companies in case of existing company.
3. Indian Mutual Funds
4. FIIs’ including NRI’s and OCB.
5. Indian & multilateral development institutions
6. Scheduled Banks.
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The Company is allowed to make firm allotment to the following:
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Indian and Multilateral Development Financial institutions.
Indian Mutual Funds
FII
Permanent /regular employees of the Company.
Scheduled banks
Merchant Bankers (subject to 5% of issue size)
The aggregate of reservations and firm allotment of employees can not exceed
10% of issue size.
(H) PROCEDURE FOR THE PUBLIC ISSUE
In short, if the Company has satisfied the entry norms, it should approach a merchant
banker with whom Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has to be executed. The
Merchant Banker shall carry due diligence for the all the information provided in the
prospectus. The obligations are divided into pre-issue and post-issue which are as
follows:Pre-Issue Obligations (i.e. before the opening of issue)
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Board Resolution for approving the draft prospectus and related resolutions.
Shareholders’ Resolution pursuant to Section 81 (1A) of the Companies Act,
1956.
Filing form 23 with ROC for passing special resolution for issuing of shares as
above.
Appointment of intermediaries and entering into MOU with them.
Due diligence by a merchant banker
Submission of all required papers / documents with merchant bankers.
Preparation of draft prospectus in consultation with merchant banker and
submitting the same with SEBI along with the fees & other requirements and
submitting the same with stock exchanges as per guidelines.
Receipt of queries from SEBI / stock exchanges, if any and make changes in
prospectus, if required.
Reply to SEBI/stock exchanges in connection with changes in prospectus.
Obtaining in-principle approval from stock exchanges.
File final prospectus with SEBI/Stock Exchanges/ ROC
Statutory Advertisements
Submission of 1% security deposit with the Regional Stock Exchanges.
Depositing Promoters’ Contribution in the issue in a separate Bank Account.
Post-Issue Obligations (i.e. After the Closure of issue)
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Collection of Application forms and processing the same at the Registrar & Share
Transfer Agent in consultation with Merchant Banker.
Separate Account be opened for the applications received from Public.
Submitting 3-day post issue monitoring report with SEBI from Merchant Banker.
Basis of allotment in consultation with regional stock exchange.
Post issue advertisement
Dispatch of share certificates/refund orders
File form 2 for return of allotment with ROC.
Entering in to listing agreement.
Obtaining permission from Stock Exchanges for listing of securities.
Commencement of trading of securities.
78-days post issue monitoring report to be submitted by merchant banker with
SEBI.
Redressal of Investors Grievances.
Application to SEBI/Stock Exchanges for refund of security deposit.
Some Important Issues pertaining to Public Issues
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Companies can freely price its securities.
Company can not come out with public issue unless all its existing partly paid up
shares, if any, are made fully paid up.
Before filing the final prospectus, the Company can keep a price band of
maximum 20%, it means that if the Company is not sure of the issue price, it may
keep a floor price with a price band of 20%.
Companies are now free to determine the denomination of shares.
Net offer to public should be at least 25% of the issue size.
Public issue should be opened for at least 3 working days and not more than 10
working days.
The minimum amount to be received from each investor should be Rs. 2000/-.
Promoters may at its discretion arrange for buy back facility or safety net facilities
in the prospectus subject to the maximum 1000 shares per allotted. The validity
of such scheme, if any shall be at least 6 months from the date of dispatch of
certificates.
Company can come out with an issue within 365 days from the date of
observation letter received from SEBI or where such letter is not received, issue
can come out with in 365 days from the 22nd day of the date of filing of the
prospectus.
Company is required to appoint Compliance Officer to directly liaise with
SEBI/Stock Exchanges to comply with various laws and investors complaints
related matters.
Trading of securities of all new public issues will be in dematerialized form ony.
The refund orders, demat credit, allotment and submission of listing documents
to stock exchanges should be completed within 2 working days of finalization of
basis of allotment.