Underwriting Commission
Underwriting commission is a fee paid by a company to underwriters for their role in guaranteeing the successful completion of a public offering, such as an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or a Rights Issue. The underwriters are financial intermediaries who commit to purchasing the shares in case the public does not fully subscribe to them. This commission compensates the underwriter for taking on the risk of underwriting the issue and for their involvement in ensuring that the offering is fully subscribed.
Role of Underwriters in Public Offers:
In the capital markets, underwriting is a critical function. Underwriters perform due diligence, evaluate the financial health of the issuing company, and determine the pricing and risk associated with the offer. They then agree to purchase any unsold shares from the issue if the public subscription falls short of the total number of shares offered. By guaranteeing the issue’s success, underwriters ensure that the company can raise the desired capital even if public interest is insufficient.
Understanding Underwriting Commission
The underwriting commission is the fee paid to the underwriters for assuming the risk of purchasing unsubscribed shares. This commission is typically expressed as a percentage of the total capital raised from the issue and varies depending on the size of the issue, the risk involved, and the market conditions.
How Underwriting Commission Works:
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Risk Compensation: The primary purpose of the underwriting commission is to compensate the underwriter for taking on the risk of purchasing any unsubscribed shares. If the public subscription is insufficient, the underwriter must buy the remaining shares at the offer price.
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Cost of Services: Besides taking on risk, underwriters also incur costs related to the due diligence process, market analysis, pricing strategy, and preparing the necessary documentation, all of which contribute to the overall commission.
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Market Conditions: In times of high demand for securities (bull market), the underwriting commission tends to be lower because the issue is likely to be fully subscribed by the public. In contrast, in bearish market conditions, when investor sentiment is lower, underwriting commissions may be higher due to the increased risk of an under-subscribed offering.
Regulations on Underwriting Commission in India:
In India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates the underwriting commission, ensuring fairness and preventing excessive fees. The underwriting commission is capped under SEBI’s guidelines to protect investors and maintain transparency in the capital market.
SEBI Guidelines:
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Maximum Commission: SEBI specifies the maximum underwriting commission based on the size of the issue. For example, the maximum commission for a public issue of equity shares is generally in the range of 1% to 2% of the total issue size. For smaller issues, the commission might be slightly higher.
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Equity Issues: For equity-based public offerings, underwriters typically receive a commission of around 1% to 1.5% of the issue size, although this can vary depending on the complexity of the offer, the financial strength of the issuing company, and market conditions.
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Debt Issues: For debt securities or debentures, the underwriting commission is usually lower than for equity issues. This is because the risk involved in debt underwriting is typically considered to be lower, as bondholders have a fixed claim on the company’s assets in case of liquidation.
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Non-Equity Issues: Underwriting commissions for non-equity issues, such as preference shares or debentures, also fall under SEBI’s purview but tend to be lower than for equity issues due to their lower risk and fixed income nature.
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Payment and Terms: The underwriting commission is usually payable by the issuer after the offer is completed. The terms and conditions of the commission payment, including the percentage and any performance-related clauses, must be disclosed in the prospectus or the offer document.
Factors Influencing Underwriting Commission:
Several factors determine the amount of the underwriting commission that the issuer and underwriter agree upon:
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Issue Size: Larger offerings generally involve lower underwriting commissions because the risk is spread across a larger number of shares. In contrast, smaller offerings tend to carry higher commissions due to the higher relative risk for underwriters.
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Risk Profile: The perceived risk of the offering affects the underwriting commission. If the issuing company is perceived to have higher risk or there is a general lack of investor confidence in the market, underwriters may demand a higher commission to compensate for the increased risk of undersubscription.
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Market Conditions: During a bullish market, when investor sentiment is strong, underwriting commissions are often lower because public demand for shares is more predictable. Conversely, in bearish markets, where investor appetite is lower, underwriting commissions may rise as compensation for the potential risk of an under-subscribed issue.
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Issuer’s Reputation: The financial health and reputation of the issuing company can also influence the underwriting commission. If the company is financially stable and has a good market reputation, the underwriting commission will likely be on the lower end of the scale.
Benefits of Underwriting Commission:
The underwriting commission is an essential mechanism in public offerings, benefiting both the issuer and the underwriter:
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Issuer’s Perspective: The issuer benefits from a guaranteed capital raise, even in the event of an under-subscribed issue. They also receive the expert services of the underwriters, who manage the pricing and marketing of the offer.
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Underwriter’s Perspective: The underwriter assumes the risk of buying unsold shares in exchange for the underwriting commission. This compensation reflects the expertise and financial backing needed to ensure the success of the offering.
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Investor Protection: The regulatory cap on underwriting commissions ensures that the issuer is not paying excessive fees, thus protecting investors from higher issue costs that may be passed on to them through inflated prices.