Primary market is the part of capital market where issue of new securities takes place. Public sector institutions, companies and governments obtain funds for further growth of the company after the sale of their securities or bonds in primary market. The selling process of new issues in primary market is called as Underwriting and this process is done by a group of people called underwriters or security dealers. From a retail investor's point of view,
investing in the primary market is the first step towards trading in stocks and shares.
investing in the primary market is the first step towards trading in stocks and shares.
Role of Primary Market
Capital formation
Liquidity
Diversification
Reduction in cost
Features of Primary Market
- It is the new issue market for the new long term capital.
- Here the securities are issued by company directly to the investors and not through any intermediaries.
- On receiving the money from the new issues, the company will issue the security certificates to the investors.
- The amount obtained by the company after the new issues are utilized for expansion of the present business or for setting up new ventures.
- External finance for longer term such as loans from financial institutions is not included in primary market. There is an option called 'going public' in which the borrowers in new issue market raise capital for converting private capital into public capital.
Prerequisites for Investor to Participate in Primary market Activities:
- PAN Number
- Bank Account
- Demat Account
Types of issues
Public issues can be classified into 3 types:
Initial Public Offering (IPO)
Rights Issue
Preferential Issue
Benefits
- Price manipulation is very less in primary market compared to secondary market.
- There is no payment of brokerage, transaction fees, and stamp duty or service tax.
- Investors get the shares at same prices so market fluctuations do not affect it.
Disadvantages
- The shares are allotted proportionately if there is over subscription which means, the small investors may not get any allotment.
- Money is locked in for longer time, as it is a long term investment.
- The shares allotment for the investor takes few days in primary market compared to secondary market where it takes only 3 days to allot the shares.