IPOs worth Rs 580m okayed this FY

The combined value of initial public offerings (IPOs) made during the first six months of the current fiscal year was up significantly compared to 2009-10 despite a fall in the number of issuing companies. The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) gave its nod to nine companies to make IPOs amounting to Rs 580.03 million during the review period compared to 11 companies permitted to make IPOs worth Rs 395.40 million in the previous fiscal.

According to the stock market regulator, two finance companies, five development banks, one hydropower company and one insurance company received SEBON's go-ahead to IPO during the first half of this fiscal year. Among the nine companies getting SEBON's approval, Gurans Life Insurance Company made the largest IPO of 1.08 million shares.

Meanwhile, the value of rights shares approved was half that of 2009-10. SEBON okayed the issue of rights shares by 16 companies worth Rs 3.37 billion against Rs 6.13 billion previously. Nine finance companies, four development banks, two commercial banks and one insurance company were cleared to issue rights shares in the first six months of this year. Sanima Bikas Bank's rights issue was the largest among the development banks. Dhruba Timilsina, corporate finance department chief at SEBON, said that the supply of shares in the capital market had surged after Nepal Rastra Bank instructed BFIs to increase their paid-up capital by 2012-13.

Source:
ekantipur