Reen HOE Ption
Reen HOE Ption
4.1 Introduction
One of the problems in an IPO has been the post-issue price decline as compared to
the issue price. This often has left retail investors feeling high and dry. A solution to
this problem is the introduction of the Green Shoe Option in the issue.
Green Shoe Option, as a concept, has been around for several years in international
markets. Even in India it was popular amongst the Bonds issued by ICICI, IDBI, e.g.,
Flexibonds, Safetybonds, etc. However, it was introduced in the Indian equity
markets only recently. To describe it in layman terms, a Green Shoe Option (“GSO”)
is an option to retain (up to a certain limit) excess subscription to an issue of shares
and to stabilise the post-issue price of the shares. Retail investors are given
protection by the GSO since many times the post-issue listing price is at a
substantial discount to the offer price. The first company to use this innovative
structure was the Green Shoe Company and hence, the unique name. The SEBI
DIP Guidelines define it to mean an option of allocating shares in excess of the
shares included in the public issue and to operate a post-listing price stabilisation
mechanism. The Guidelines lay down an elaborate procedure and mechanism.
Companies which have opted for this option, include, Maruti Suzuki, Tata
Consultancy Services, etc. ICICI Bank was the first company to use the GSO under
the book building route. DSP Merrill Lynch was appointed as the Stabilising Agent to
maintain the post-issue price and for this the GSO was up to 15% of the issue size.
Life Insurance Corporation which was one of the major shareholders entered into an
agreement with the Stabilising Agent to lend a stake equal to 7.85%.
Although, it has been tried and tested in a few issues, the GSO has not enjoyed the
level of success which it was expected to and that could be one of the reasons why
one does not see many companies adopting the GSO.
Green Shoe Option 25
4.2.2 The Book Running Lead Manager (“BRLM”) normally act as the Stabilizing
Agent (“SA”) for the purposes of effectuating the Green Shoe Option, under the
SEBI Guidelines. The Stabilising Agent and the Company determine the number of
shares to be over allotted. It cannot exceed 15% of the total issue size.
4.2.3 The Promoter of the Company agrees to lend the loaned Shares to the
Stabilising Agent for the purposes of effectuating the Green Shoe Option.
Promoters who own more than 5% of the pre-issue capital are entitled to participate.
4.2.4 The Stabilising Agent is responsible for the price stabilisation of the shares
once they are listed, if required. However, the stabilisation is not mandatory. The
stabilisation cannot continue for a period exceeding 30 days from the date of the
receipt of permission for trading of the Equity Shares from the Stock Exchanges. For
the purposes of the Green Shoe Option, the Stabilising Agent shall borrow the
Loaned Shares from the Green Shoe Lender. The Loaned Shares and/ or purchased
from the market for stabilising purposes will be in dematerialised form only.
4.2.5 Reporting
During the Stabilisation Period, the Stabilising Agent has to submit a report to the
BSE and the NSE on a daily basis. The Stabilising Agent also has to submit a final
report to SEBI in the prescribed format.
(b) Open a demat special account which shall be the GSO Demat Account and
credit the Equity Shares bought by it.
(c) Stabilise the market price if it falls below the Issue Price and determine of the
price at which such Equity Shares are to be bought and the timing of such
purchase.
(d) Request the Green Shoe Lender to lend the Loaned Shares and to transfer
funds from the GSO Bank Account to Green Shoe Lender within 5 days of
close of the Stabilisation Period.
(e) On expiry of the Stabilisation Period, to return the Equity Shares to the Green
Shoe Lender either through market purchases as part of stabilising process
or through issue of fresh Equity Shares by the company.
(f) To transfer the net gains arising on market purchases in the GSO Bank
Account after meeting all expenses and taxes, to the investor protection
funds of the Stock Exchanges.
4.3 Example
A Ltd. proposes to float an IPO of 10,00,000 equity shares at a price of Rs. 10 + 40
per share. The issue is oversubscribed and it receives applications for 17,00,000
equity shares. It has a GSO up to 15% of the issue size = 11,50,000 shares, i.e.,
1,50,000 shares for the GSO. The over allotment to the tune of 1,50,000 shares
would be used for stabilising the post-listing price of the shares of A Ltd.