The primary market is preparing for a bustling week starting January 27, with five initial public offerings and five listings scheduled across Dalal Street. While no mainboard IPOs are planned, the SME segment will drive activity with five new issues collectively worth over Rs 226 crore.

IPO Schedule and Details

Kasturi Metal Composite, a steel fiber products manufacturer, will kick off the week's IPO activity on January 27. The company has set a price band of Rs 61-64 per share and aims to raise Rs 17.6 crore through the offer of 27.52 lakh shares.

January 28 will see three IPOs opening simultaneously for public subscription:

Additionally, CKK Retail Mart, which distributes agro-commodities and carbonated soft drinks, will open its Rs 88-crore public issue on January 30 with a price band of Rs 155-163 per share.

Ongoing IPO Subscriptions

Two IPOs will continue accepting subscriptions until January 27. Hannah Joseph Hospital and Shayona Engineering, both of which opened on January 22, have recorded subscription levels of 55 percent and 1.34 times respectively in their first two days.

Scheduled Listings

Five companies are set to debut on the stock exchanges during the week. Shadowfax Technologies will be the primary attraction as the only mainboard listing, scheduled for January 28 on both BSE and NSE. The logistics solutions provider's Rs 1,907-crore IPO was subscribed 2.72 times during its January 20-22 subscription period, though market observers note it is not commanding any premium in the grey market.

The week's primary market activity reflects continued investor interest in the SME segment, with companies across diverse sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics seeking to tap capital markets for growth funding.

In a display of robust investor interest, four initial public offerings (IPOs) have collectively raised ₹3,184 crore, drawing an impressive ₹1.27 lakh crore in total bids. The IPOs of Patel Retail, Vikram Solar, Shreeji Shipping Global, and Gem Aromatics have all seen strong oversubscription, indicating significant market appetite for new listings.

Patel Retail: The Standout Performer

Patel Retail emerged as the star of the show, despite being the smallest issue among the four. The retail supermarket chain, which focuses on tier-III cities, raised ₹242.76 crore through its IPO. The qualified institutional buyers (QIB) portion of the issue was oversubscribed by an astounding 272.43 times, highlighting strong institutional interest. Prior to the public issue, Patel Retail had already secured ₹43.46 crore from anchor investors.

Vikram Solar: The Largest Issue

Vikram Solar, a prominent solar manufacturer, brought the largest IPO to the table, raising ₹2,079.37 crore. The issue attracted bids worth ₹82,275 crore, with the QIB portion oversubscribed 142.79 times. The company had previously raised ₹620.8 crore from anchor investors. Vikram Solar plans to utilize the proceeds for capital expenditure in subsidiary projects, potentially boosting its manufacturing capabilities.

Shreeji Shipping Global: Maritime Sector Attraction

The shipping industry also saw representation with Shreeji Shipping Global's ₹410.71 crore IPO. The issue was oversubscribed 58.10 times, receiving bids totaling ₹16,072 crore. The company has earmarked the funds for vessel acquisition and debt repayment, indicating plans for fleet expansion and financial restructuring.

Gem Aromatics: Diversifying the IPO Landscape

Rounding out the quartet is Gem Aromatics, which raised ₹451.25 crore through a combination of fresh issue and offer for sale. The IPO was oversubscribed 30.27 times, demonstrating solid investor interest. A significant portion of the proceeds, approximately ₹140 crore, is allocated for debt repayment, which could improve the company's financial position.

Investor Response in Numbers

The following table summarizes the key figures for each IPO:

The overwhelming response to these IPOs, particularly in the QIB segments, suggests a strong appetite for new investment opportunities across various sectors. From retail and solar energy to shipping and aromatics, investors have shown keen interest in diverse business models. The success of these public issues may encourage more companies to tap into the primary market, potentially leading to a vibrant IPO landscape in the coming months.