Simple notes about Initial public offering for SBI PO 2017

Initial public offering

Initial public offering is the process by which a private company can go public by sale of its stocks to general public. It could be a new, young company or an old company which decides to be listed on a stock exchange and hence goes public.
The company which offers its shares, known as an ‘issuer’, does so with the help of investment banks. After IPO, the company’s shares are traded in an open market. When the shares trade freely in the open market, money passes between public investors.

The company which wants to raise its funds generally goes for an IPO. So it is simply a money making process. The money can be used in various ways, such as re-investing in the company’s infrastructure or expanding the business.
A public company can always issue more stocks and they get better rates also when they issue debt.

A company going for an IPO needs an investment bank to serve a number of purposes.

• One of the primary roles of an investment bank is to serve as a sort of intermediary between corporations and investors through initial public offerings (IPOs).
• They do the required asset management for large investment funds.
• The bank evaluates the company and determines a price at which to offer the stock shares.
• It also advises the company to whether go public or raise funds through any alternative means.
• It also advises the company for mergers and acquisitions and to evaluate the fair price of acquisitions.
• There can be more than one investment bank.

Apart from the various advantages, there are some disadvantages too of going for an IPO.

• The cost associated with the process is the first factor.
• Private companies do not have to disclose their information to anyone, but being after IPO they will have to disclose certain business and financial information which can prove helpful to their competitors.
• For the management, efficient attention and effort is required.
• There is also a risk that required funds will not be raised.
• There is also a loss of control over the company because of the addition of new shareholders.