As many as 15 companies, including Anil Ambani Group's Reliance Infratel, have refrained from bringing out their initial public offers so far this year despite obtaining the go-ahead from market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India to collectively raise an estimated Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 250 billion).
The companies which have let their regulatory approvals lapse since January this year also include Jindal Power, Lodha Developers, Sterlite Energy, BPTP Ltd, Ambience Ltd and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
The list of 15 companies mostly comprises entities from the real estate and power sectors.
Reliance Infratel was the first company that failed to launch its Rs 5,000-crore (Rs 50 billion) IPO before the regulatory approval lapsed on January 11, while Jindal Power is the latest addition to the list after the approval for its Rs 7,200-crore (Rs 72-billion) public issue expired on May 27.
Market experts believe many companies were averse to hitting the market because of the subdued market conditions, as well as the fact that firms that did implement their public
stake sale plans are trading below the issue price.
"As the first half of 2011 has seen missing FII inflows, resulting in lukewarm market sentiment, it is surely taking a toll on the IPO market," SMC Global Securities Strategist and Head of Research Jagannadham Thunuguntla said.
In all, 15 public issues were planned with the objective of raising about Rs 25,186 crore (Rs 251.86 billion).
Other companies that axed their IPO plans at the last minute include Glenmark Generics, Neptune Developers, Kumar Urban Developers, AMR Constructions, Asian Business Exhibition & Conferences, Kabirdass Motor Company, PCI Ltd and Ankita Knitwear.
"This list is featured largely with real estate and power industries.
"That may be because real estate is completely out of favour of the market. And power has also become out of favour of the market because of the fact that several IPOs from the power industry in the past have given dismal returns to the investors," he added.
Besides volatile market conditions, a high interest rate regime and a slew of recent scams involving real estate companies are also said to have contributed to the failure of realty players to successfully tap the market to raise funds.