Shares of Epply Limited, the latest initial public issue to make it to the junior market that came to market last week, started trading today. The public issue, which closed on the July 22, is the fastest IPO listing since the junior market started and probably the fastest listing on the JSE ever. For the listing to take place within a week suggests that something must have gone right with it. Nevertheless, it’s a snail pace compared to international standards.
Previously, the listing of the JSE’s own shares took 2 weeks after the issue closed on July 8th and that was one of the fastest. There clearly is much improvement needed in the timeframe between listing and IPO close. There is no reason why the JSE can’t get to international standards a list within a day or two after closure of an IPO and so ensure greater liquidity in the market. All that is required is the reconciliation of subscriptions application, money paid and the allocation of shares where there is oversubscription. In this regard, the formula for dealing with oversubscription can be determined ahead of the closure of an issue.
All the other things such as paying stock exchange fees and final approval can surely take place within a day if the application for listing is effectively done ahead of the IPO.
Well into its first trading day, there were no stocks of Epply on offer nor was there any listed to be bought. One week after listing, the JSE ordinary shares are yet to traded even as the bid is now up to $3.25 in Monday’s trade.
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[…] prior to the notification date, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends subject to 30 days notice. Eppley’s directors stated in the prospectus that “since the company’s initial public offering, of […]