Bajaj Housing Finance IPO: Check Price, GMP, Guidelines, Quota, Issue Size
Bajaj Housing Finance IPO much-anticipated is set to open for public subscription on Monday, September 9. On the previous Friday, the company raised Rs 1,758 crore from anchor investors. The IPO, which totals Rs 6,560 crore, has a price band set between Rs 66 to Rs 70 per share. Important IPO Dates The IPO will open on September 9 and close on Wednesday, September 11. The allotment of shares is expected to be finalized by September 12, with the listing scheduled on both BSE and NSE on September 16. IPO Quota Allocation The IPO quota is divided into different investor categories: - 50% is reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) - 35% for retail investors - 15% for high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) Additionally, Rs 500 crore worth of shares are reserved for the shareholder quota, available to eligible shareholders of Bajaj Finance Limited and Bajaj Finserv Limited as of the Red Herring Prospectus date (August 30, 2024). Only bids at or above the issue price will be considered. Price Band and Issue Size The price band for the Rs 6,560 crore IPO has been fixed between Rs 66 and Rs 70 per share. This includes a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 3,560 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of Rs 3,000 crore by the parent company, Bajaj Finance. Gray Market Premium (GMP) for Bajaj Housing Finance IPO Market watchers report that the unlisted shares of Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd are trading at a Rs 50 premium in the gray market, indicating a 71.43% expected public benefit over the issue price. The gray market premium is driven by market sentiment and may fluctuate. Analysts' Recommendations Analysts are generally optimistic about the IPO. Anand Rathi has given a 'buy' recommendation, citing the Rs 7,000 crore fundraising as a catalyst for Bajaj Finance's (BAF) stock performance. The brokerage notes Bajaj Housing Finance’s higher return on equity (RoE) and return on assets (RoA), which justify premium valuations. On the other hand, InCred Equities has issued a 'hold' recommendation, acknowledging that while Bajaj Housing Finance trades at a higher multiple compared to peers like LIC Housing Finance (1.2x) and PNB Housing (1.7x), it still finds the stock attractive due to 30% CAGR AUM growth, solid asset quality, and a strong tech platform. More on Anchor Investors Prominent anchor investors include the Government of Singapore, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Fidelity, Morgan Stanley, and other major institutions like HDFC Mutual Fund, SBI Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, and Goldman Sachs. A total of 25.11 crore equity shares have been allocated to 104 companies at Rs 70 per share, bringing the anchor investment total to Rs 1,758 crore. IPO Objectives and Regulatory Compliance The IPO has been launched in compliance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations, requiring top-tier non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to be listed by September 2025. Proceeds from the fresh issue will be used to expand the capital base to meet future business needs. Company Background Bajaj Housing Finance has been registered with the National Housing Bank since September 2015, offering a range of financial solutions, including home loans, property loans, and developer financing. For the fiscal year 2023-2024, the company reported a net profit of Rs 1,731 crore, marking a 38% increase over the previous year. Lead Managers and Recent Listings Lead book managers for the IPO include Kotak Mahindra Capital, BofA Securities India, SBI Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs (India) Securities, and JM Financial. Recently, other housing finance companies like Aadhar Housing Finance and India Shelter Finance have also listed on the stock market. Read the full article