Block Deals Put Down a Marker in 2023, Lift Equity Deal Value by 66%

Surge in India’s Equity Capital Markets

Source and Citation: Block Deals Put Down a Marker in 2023, Lift Equity Deal Value by 66%, ET Bureau, Jan 2, 2024

Table of Contents

Analysis of this News for a Layman

The equity capital markets (ECM) consist of channels for companies to raise equity financing like stocks and shares, as opposed to debt. This includes IPOs, follow-on public offers, and private share sales.

In 2023, the total money raised via India’s ECM rose sharply by 66% over 2022 levels to hit $26 billion. The number of ECM deals also jumped 66% to 340 last year. A key factor was the prominence of block deals – which are negotiated sale of large chunks of listed company shares to investors.

Block deals generated over $20 billion, signaling strong secondary market liquidity and demand from investors to take concentrated stakes in quality names. This enabled private equity firms holding pre-IPO shares to cash out via such block trades after listing. For example, BPEA and ChrysCapital fully exited their stakes in Coforge and Mankind Pharma respectively this way post the lock-in expiry.

Impact on Retail Investors

For retail investors, the surge in secondary market block deals indicates institutional confidence in India’s equity story remains robust even amid global instability. Saw participation across both foreign and domestic institutions.

The outperformance can positively influence overall market direction and sentiment in 2024. Retail investors must avoid reading needless caution into specific stocks seeing private equity exits this route – the exits represent the natural cycle of PEs cashing out after long holding periods rather than concern over fundamentals.

Of course, quality selection remains essential even in a supportive environment. Investors should focus on consistent compounders across sectors with strong moats, governance, and credible growth roadmaps aligned to India’s consumption and infrastructure priorities.

Impact on Industries

The block deal surge has positive implications for investment banks facilitating such large negotiated transactions – firms like Kotak, JP Morgan, and IIFL could see higher deal pipeline fees. Domestic banks seem to be gaining share vs global banks as localized market expertise and relationships prove differentiating.

The start-up IPO boom has resized with profitability in focus. But QIPs remain integral for good quality companies to raise expansion capital amid tight rates. Secondary offers can balance supply. Overall, healthy ECM activity ensures liquidity for both new projects and investor exits.

Sectors like financials, IT, pharmaceuticals, and consumer staples could see ongoing traction – their secular India growth appeal attracts long term capital. Investors can allocate across emerging leaders in these resilient spaces.

Long Term Benefits & Negatives

Over the long term, deepening secondary market liquidity can have profoundly positive implications for India’s capital cycle functioning efficiently across stages. Risk capital will continue seamlessly moving into promising ideas via PE/VC, with transparent value realization avenues through both IPO exits and follow-on block deals.

This makes the Indian listed ecosystem more dynamic than reliance just on buybacks and dividends to reward shareholders – especially relevant for growth-stage firms.

However, times when block deals dominate could indicate frothiness requiring caution. Retail frenzy around IPOs also needs moderation through quality filters. Maintaining prudence alongside growth orientation is the best way forward for both issuers and public market traders.

Short Term Benefits & Negatives

In the near term, the strong deal momentum flags investor appetite for Indian equities remains intact despite recessionary pressures and volatility in global capital flows. Marquee PE exits being readily absorbed are positive.

Names seeing block deals do often trend firm post-announcement – indicating demand absorption. This further eases any lock-in related overhang concerns.

However, excessive capital market reliance for equity fundraising also has risks if the business model integrity is not proven before tapping public money. The impact of rising rates on margins and asset quality for banks/NBFCs also warrants monitoring by markets. The moderated IPO pipeline is hence not unhealthy as the focus shifts to profitable growth.

Impacts of Increased Block Deals in Indian ECM:

Indian Companies:

Gaining:

Potential IPO Candidates: Companies with strong fundamentals and growth potential could benefit from increased investor interest and potentially secure higher valuations in public offerings.
Companies Involved in Major Block Deals: Companies like Coforge and Mankind Pharma that witnessed large stake sales through block deals might see increased liquidity and investor attention, potentially boosting their stock prices.
Investment Banks & Brokerages: Domestic firms like Kotak, IIFL, and JM Financial that performed well in the league table could further solidify their market positions and attract more deal mandates.
Private Equity Firms: Increased secondary market activity and successful exits like those seen in CY23 could further attract PE investments in promising Indian companies.

Neutral:

Established Domestic Banks: While overall deal value increased, global banks like Morgan Stanley and Citi saw their rankings decline. Domestic banks in established positions might experience neutral impact unless actively competing for new deals.

Losing:

Companies with Weak Fundamentals: Increased investor scrutiny due to rising deal values might put pressure on companies with weaker performance or governance issues.

Global Companies: