IT146;S IPO SEASON

The primary market will soon witness a flurry of IPOs. As many as 150-175 companies are gearing up to raise over Rs 75,000 crore 18.75 bn from the market in the next 11 months, according to Prithvi Haldea of Prime Database. The amount could get bigger to Rs 1,90,000 crore if the plans of other companies materialise this year.

After the Reliance Power IPO that got a record 52 lakh applications, another mega issue 8212; real estate firm Emaar MGF 8212; is expected to hit the market in February to raise nearly Rs 7,000 crore. UTI Asset Management will become the first mutual fund to go public as it is set to launch a Rs-2,000 crore IPO in the next two months. Lodha Builders, Sterlite Energy and Essar Power are also considering mega IPOs. Investors will have plenty of choices.