Era of mega equity offerings ?

Just as one thought it is curtains for DLF IPO, another is raising its hood.

ICICI Bank’s domestic issue is part of a $5bn capital raising program. In addition to the local issue, ICICI Bank plans to raise another $2.5 b from the issue of American Depository Receipts.

In addition to the equity issues, ICICI Bank is also raising money by selling shares of the holding company for its insurance businesses. The timing of the stake sale in the holding company would be determined by clearances from RBI and IRDA.

This week, ICICI Bank received permission from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board to sell up to 24% equity in ICICI Holdings. However, the bank will be offering only 5% to international investors.

“China is possibly 10 years ahead of us. Even if the top four banks in India are put together, the size would be lesser than that of the fourth largest Chinese bank. The combined market capitalisation of all banks in India would be lesser than half of the M-cap of China’s second largest bank,” points KV Kamath, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank.

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ICICI Bank, has a market cap of about $ 19.89 b that is the highest among financial services companies in India. ICICI Financial Services, the holding company for its insurance and asset management business, has been valued at $10.94 billion. Goldman Sachs, Swiss Re and Nomura, along with two other investors, have picked a 5.9% stake. Of this, Goldman Sachs has picked up 2.02% stake.

A few swallows (few days of downturns of stock indices) do not a summer maketh - and we thought the India story is played out. Can’t be more wrong.

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