India’s largest domestic investor Life Insurance Corporation of India has once again come to government’s rescue by subscribing 70% of Hindustan Aeronautics’ `4,200-crore initial public offering.

a. Which market is being reflected in the above case?

b. State which method of floatation in the above identified market is being highlighted in the case? (Primary Market)

c. Explain any two other methods of floatation. (Private Placement, Offer through prospectus, offer for sale).

a. Primary market: The primary market is also known as the new issues market. It deals with new securities being issued for the first time.

b. Right issue: This is a privilege given to existing shareholders to subscribe to a new issue of shares according to the terms and conditions of the company.

c. Offer through Prospectus: Offer through prospectus is the most popular method of raising funds by public companies in the primary market. This involves inviting subscription from the public through issue of prospectus. A prospectus makes a direct appeal to investors to raise capital, through an advertisement in newspapers and magazines. The contents of the prospectus have to be in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act and SEBI disclosure and investor protection guidelines.

i. Offer for Sale: Under this method securities are not issued directly to the public but are offered for sale through intermediaries like issuing houses or stock brokers. In this case, a company sells securities enbloc an agreed price to brokers who, in turn, resell them to the investing public.