We are entering la-la land territory, as recent IPOs soar about 30-35%!
The Straits Times
Apr 13, 2012
Bumitama soars in IPO debut
Share closes 32% above offer price; analysts see revival of IPO market
By Anita Gabriel
SHARES in palm oil firm Bumitama Agri surged as much as 37 per cent on debut yesterday as investors clambered for a piece of the largest initial public offering (IPO) here since last June.
The stock rose 26 cents from the offer price of 74.5 cents at the opening bell and inched further up during the day before closing at 98 cents, up 23.5 cents or 32 per cent.
Bumitama, which was the third most actively traded with 233 million shares worth $228 million changing hands, was helped by a more buoyant overall market with the benchmark Straits Times Index rising 1.08 per cent.
The firm has raised about $195 million in net proceeds from the IPO and as at yesterday, had a market value of $1.7 billion.
The prospects for palm oil firms are promising. Analysts generally expect palm oil prices to be supported this quarter due to tight global stockpiles.
'But the third quarter could see some correction in palm oil prices due to seasonal factors,' said a plantations analyst.
Bumitama's IPO offered 327.32 million shares, with only 15 million allocated to the public. These were 40 times oversubscribed.
'With our significant plantation land bank, Bumitama is well-positioned to benefit from the world's growing demand for palm oil, anticipated increase in (palm oil) prices and the expanding Indonesian economy,' said executive chairman and chief executive Gunawan Lim in a statement.
Bumitama is the 30th commodities and resources firm on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), a segment with a total market capitalisation of over $74 billion.
'Bumitama is now a key member of our strong pool of commodities and resource companies, offering global investors an attractive and wide range of investment options,' said SGX chief executive Magnus Bocker in a statement.
'Bumitama's listing reinforces SGX's strength and depth as an international capital-raising centre in this region.'
Bumitama is the second firm to list this year. Private cord blood bank Cordlife Group closed 37 per cent higher on its debut on March 29.
After last year's dismal IPO market - there were only 23 listings, the lowest in at least 10 years - analysts expect a revival this year, although volatility still prevails.
'This IPO performance is being closely watched as it would have an impact on the IPO pipeline for the rest of the year,' said Mr Matthew Song, HSBC's head of equity capital markets, South-east Asia.
'There is money to be put to work but investors' choices will continue to be driven by fundamentals and valuations.'
There had been talk before the IPO about the credibility of the Master of Business Administration degree obtained by Mr Lim from the University of Beverly Hills, California, in 1983.
The Straits Times earlier reported that the university, which closed in 1986, is perceived as lacking accreditation.
Mr Lim told The Straits Times: 'It's not true. First of all, it's not a dubious degree or school. It exists and is accredited by the California state. I included the information in the prospectus as there was nothing to hide.'
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