Introduction to IPO

Chapter 15

IPO Allotment Process

IPO Allotment Overview

IPO allotment is the process of distributing shares to investors who have applied for an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This distribution is managed by the registrar in coordination with the stock exchange. The announcement of the allotment typically occurs 3-4 days after the bidding period concludes. Investors can check their allotment status on the registrar’s website. If an IPO is oversubscribed, meaning more shares are requested than available, not every investor may receive shares. Conversely, if an IPO isn't fully subscribed, all applicants might receive shares.

Understanding IPO Allotment Rules

  • Allotments are determined by the registrar alongside the designated stock exchange.
  • The number of shares offered and bids received in each investor category (Retail, Non-Institutional Investors (NII), Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB)) influences allotment.
  • Different rules apply to each category, and only valid applications are considered. Mistakes like incorrect Demat account numbers or multiple applications from the same PAN are grounds for rejection.
  • Applications at or above the cut-off price are eligible for allocation. Note that in SME IPOs, bidding at the cut-off price isn't permitted.
  • Oversubscription in one category can balance under-subscription in another, except for the QIB category.
  • A document called the Basis of Allotment is published by the registrar detailing how shares are allocated.

IPO Allotment Methods

The method of allotment depends on the investor category and subscription levels:

  • If an IPO is undersubscribed across all categories, every valid applicant will receive a full allotment, provided the IPO achieves at least 90% subscription.
  • In cases where one category is oversubscribed and another isn’t, the oversubscription can offset the under-subscription, except in the QIB category.
  • For oversubscribed IPOs, shares are allocated via a lottery system or proportionally based on the investor category.

Allocation by Investor Category

1. Retail Investors (RII)

Retail individual investors (RII) are guaranteed at least one lot of shares if the number of applicants matches the reserved shares. A lot typically represents shares worth about Rs 15,000 in Mainboard IPOs and Rs 1,00,000 in SME IPOs. The maximum number of retail investors who can receive allotments is calculated by dividing the total shares reserved for RII by the lot size. For example, in a scenario where a company's IPO offers 500,000 shares with a minimum lot size of 250, the maximum number of retail investors who can receive an allotment is 2,000.

2. Non-Institutional Investors (NII)

NII are divided into Small NII (Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs) and Big NII (over Rs 10 lakhs). Each NII investor receives a minimum bid lot, and any leftover shares are distributed on a pro-rata basis. If undersubscribed, all investors receive a full allotment. For SME IPOs, filed after March 2025, NII categories are divided into Small and Big, similar to Mainboard IPOs.

3. Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB)

QIBs receive allotments on a proportionate basis if oversubscribed. In an under-subscription, all QIBs get full allotments, but these shares cannot be reallocated to other categories.

4. Anchor Investors

Anchor investors, in mainboard book-building IPOs, can receive up to 60% of the QIB category shares, with a portion reserved for domestic mutual funds. The issuer selects anchor investors and their allocations in consultation with the lead manager.

5. Employees

In case of oversubscription, employee allotments are made on a pro-rata basis with a maximum allocation value of Rs 200,000. Any leftover shares are allocated proportionately up to Rs 500,000.

6. Shareholders

Shareholder allotments are made on a proportionate basis during oversubscription. If a shareholder applies for more than Rs 200,000 in the shareholder category and another category, multiple applications may be rejected.

The Allotment Process

The registrar manages the IPO allotment process, coordinating with stock exchanges to finalize the basis of allotment. The process involves:

  1. Collecting IPO application data from the stock exchange.
  2. Validating applications against eligibility criteria.
  3. Cross-checking data with depositories and banks.
  4. Rejecting applications with errors.
  5. Grouping valid applications by lot size to assess demand.
  6. Finalizing the basis of allotment with exchanges.
  7. Sending allotment advice via email/SMS.
  8. Coordinating with banks and depositories to debit investor accounts and credit shares.

Important Dates and Status Check

The IPO allotment date is when the registrar announces the share allocation. Investors can check their status using their PAN, application number, or Demat account number on the registrar’s site. The allotment is usually completed within five business days of the offering’s close.

Checking Allotment Status

  1. Visit iposcanner.ai and select the desired IPO.
  2. Click on the Allotment tab and navigate to the Registrar’s website.
  3. Choose the IPO from the dropdown, enter your PAN, application, or DP Client ID, and submit to view your allotment status.

Tips to Improve Allotment Chances

While no formula guarantees an allotment, following these practices may help:

  • Apply for one lot of shares from various family accounts in the Retail category.
  • Wait until the last day to decide between Retail, s HNI, and b HNI categories for better chances.
  • Avoid last-minute applications; submit before 1 p.m. on the closing day.
  • Ensure all application details are correct.
  • Approve the UPI mandate promptly.
  • Review the basis of allotment document to confirm eligibility.
  • Study previous Basis of Allotment documents for insights.

Understanding the Basis of Allotment

The basis of allotment outlines how shares are distributed in an IPO. It’s included in offer documents and finalized by the registrar, company, and lead manager with exchange consultation. Allocation is done either on a pro-rata or lottery basis, depending on demand and investor category.

The Basis of Allotment (BOA) is published in a leading daily, detailing:

  • Total applications per investor category.
  • Total shares applied per category.
  • Subscription rate per category.
  • RII and NII categorization based on shares applied.
  • Detailed allocation per category.

For example, in the Sah Polymers Limited IPO, different bidder categories were allocated shares based on a mix of pro-rata and lottery methods. This ensures transparency and fairness in share distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions

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