Post Issue Performance of Graded IPOs in India

SEBI, the Indian securities market regulator has set a unique example for the entire world by introducing IPO grading in India 2006 on optional basis and further mandating it from May, 2007. The purpose of this grading was to provide retail investors with a ready-made assessment of the fundamental quality of the issuer of an IPO, so they could make a better and informed investment decision in an era of information overload. Grading of IPOs is subject to severe criticism. Critics question efficacy and effect of this process. But findings of this paper suggest that IPO grading does have strong positive effect on demand (oversubscription). Further, weak impact on returns, little or nil impact on underpricing and strong negative effect on proportion of issued share capital is also noted. Paper infers that all investor classes including retail investors benefit from IPO grading