Saturday, November 18, 2017

Reality check about Moody's ratings upgrade and Why investors should avoid IPOs

Moody's Ratings Upgrade - a reality check

"Moody's Investors Service upgraded its ratings on India's sovereign bonds for the first time in nearly 14 years on Friday (Nov 17 '17), saying continued progress on economic and institutional reform will boost the country's growth potential.

The agency said it was lifting India's rating to Baa2 from Baa3 and changed its rating outlook to stable from positive as risks to India's credit profile were broadly balanced."

The Finance Minister and various government functionaries wasted no time in appearing on various TV channels to tom-tom the 'achievement' as an endorsement of the NDA government's financial reforms and fiscal prudence by an 'internationally reputed ratings organisation'.

Now, here is the reality check (from a Reuter's article):


"Moody's upgrade, its first since January 2004, moves India's rating to the second lowest level of investment grade. Standard & Poor's has kept India at the lowest investment grade just above junk status for a decade and Fitch Ratings for one year longer."

There is no guarantee that S&P or Fitch will follow Moody's in upgrading India's sovereign bonds ratings. In other words, as of now, two out of three 'internationally reputed ratings organisations' have kept India's sovereign bonds ratings just above junk status.

The ratings upgrade by Moody's is definitely a positive sign - but not a huge deal just yet. Expecting FDI to pour in may be a bit premature. However, FIIs did join DIIs as net buyers of equities on Friday (Nov 17). The rally in the stock market is likely to continue next week. 


Why investors should avoid IPOs


A recent article in bloombergquint.com mentioned that 32 companies have cumulatively raised Rs 50,000 Crores from IPOs so far this year - the highest on record. "Promoters and (existing) shareholders walked away with the bulk of the gains by offloading stakes."


"Shares of 23 of the 32 companies that have gone public this year either declined or gave low returns since the close on the first day of trading." 

20 companies have provided negative returns from the closing level on the first day of listing till Nov 15. 3 companies have gained less than 5%. 5 companies have gained between 10% & 49%. The balance 4 companies - Avenue Supermarts, PSP Projects, Apex Frozen Foods and Shankara Building Products - have gained between 72% & 132%.

If you have been thinking about jumping on to the IPO bandwagon in the hope of making gains on listing, think again. The odds are not in your favour. 

No comments: