What do you mean by Listing of Securities in Stock Exchange?

Shreya Patel

07 Jul, 2023

Introduction

Listing means the admission of a company’s securities to trading on a stock exchange. Listing is not a compulsory act under the Companies Act 2013/1956. It only important when a Public Limited Company wants to issue shares or debentures to public. When securities are listed on a stock exchange, the company will have to comply with the exchange’s requirements.

The listing provides an exclusive privilege to securities on stock exchange. Only listed shares are quoted on the stock exchange. Stock exchange provides transparency in transactions of listed securities and equality and competitive conditions. Listing is beneficial for the company, the investor, and the public at large.

Meaning of securities

Financial instruments known as securities indicate ownership or debt obligations in a business or government body. In order to raise money and offer investment possibilities, these instruments are issued and exchanged on financial markets. Businesses and governments can acquire funds by using securities, while investors can buy them to make investments. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, and futures contracts are just a few examples of the many different types of securities. Each form of security has unique traits and gives the investor a range of rights and advantages.

What is stock exchange?

A stock exchange acts as a market for the trading of different kinds of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and derivatives. Securities are financial products that represent either debt or ownership in a corporation. A company makes its securities available for purchase and sale by the general public when listing them on a stock market. As a result, the business is better equipped to get funds from investors and establish its credibility.

What is listing of securities?

Making stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments of a company available for trading on an approved stock market is referred to as listed securities. To receive authorization from the exchange, you must meet specific eligibility requirements and adhere to legal requirements. The issuing company and investors gain a lot from listing securities.

Objectives of Listing of Securities

• To provide liquidity to securities
• To provide a mechanism for effective control and supervision of trading
• To mobilize savings for economic development
• To provide free negotiability to stocks.
• Ability to raise further capital.

Terms and condition to list securities in Stock Exchange

• For initial public offers (IPOs) and follow-on public offerings (FPOS), the minimum paid-up capital for the firm must be INR 10 crore and INR 3 crore, respectively.
• The offering must be at least INR 10 crore in size.
• A minimum market capitalization of INR 25 crore is required for the company.
• The applicant, promoters, and/or group firms cannot break the listing agreement without permission.
• The issuer must abide by any laws, rules, and directives that may be relevant, such as those outlined in the Securities Contracts (Regulations) Act of 1956 ¹and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules of 1957.
• Before submitting their prospectus or Exchange (BSE) before using the BSE name offer for sale paperwork to the Registrar of Companies, companies must first receive permission from the Bombay Stock in those documents. Before registering with the Registrar of Companies, a letter of application must be sent to each stock market where the company seeks to be listed.
• The company must complete the allotment of securities in accordance with the Listing Agreement within 30 days of closing the public subscription list.
• Each financial year’s 30th April is the deadline for all publicly traded companies to pay the BSE’s annual listing fee.

Types of Listing of Securities

• Initial listing
• Listing of Bonus shares
• Listing for merger or amalgamation
• Listing for Rights Issue
• Listing for public Issue

Benefits of Listing Securities

The benefits of listing securities on a stock market include the following:

• Higher liquidity: When securities are listed on a stock market, investors can buy or sell them more easily. The increased trading activity improves the assets’ liquidity, increasing their allure to investors.
• Heightened visibility: A company’s exposure and visibility to potential investors are increased by listing on a stock market. This heightened awareness might draw in new investors and present chances for the business to acquire more money.
• Enhanced legitimacy: A company and its securities gain legitimacy and credibility by being listed on a stock exchange. Investor confidence is bolstered by the stringent listing standards and regulations connected with exchanges, which add to the company’s overall credibility.
• Access to capital: The opportunity to access new streams of finance is one of the significant advantages of listing securities. Broader pools of possible investors, including institutional investors, who are more inclined to invest in listed shares, become accessible when a company is listed on a stock market. This enlarged investor base increases the company’s prospects of obtaining funding for growth, R&D, or other strategic projects.
• Improved Market Awareness and Brand Reputation: Listing on a stock exchange can improve market acceptance and brand awareness for a company. Because a listing is public, there is potential for more media interest and analyst focus. This increased visibility might bring in new clients, collaborators, and business prospects, which will help the organization expand and prosper as a whole.
• Prospects for Expansion and Growth: Listing on a stock market might lead to prospects for expansion and development. Mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances can be made more accessible due to expanded access to finance, higher liquidity, and raised visibility. A company’s shareholder base can grow as a result of being listed on a stock exchange since it attracts institutional investors and analysts who actively look for investment possibilities in listed companies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the process of listing securities on a stock market is essential and has several advantages for both businesses and investors. It entails fulfilling particular eligibility requirements, providing required documents, going through examination and approval by the stock market, and abiding by regulatory requirements. From ordinary shares and bonds to ETFs, a variety of instruments can be offered. The ability to list securities gives businesses access to cash through initial public offerings, improves visibility and credibility, creates prospects for development and growth, and guarantees adherence to corporate governance rules. Additionally, it has benefits in law and regulation, promoting investor protection. For companies seeking expansion and for individuals searching for investment possibilities, the advantages of listing securities make it a worthwhile endeavor. Stock exchanges provide as venues for financial markets, facilitating capital creation, liquidity, and transparency. Although laborious, the listing procedure is essential for establishing a company’s presence in the stock market and luring investors, which eventually helps to promote economic growth and development.

Read our article: All you need to know about SEBI’s Insider Trading Regulations

1. https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/acts/feb-1957/the-securities-contracts-regulation-act-1956-as-amended-by-finance-act-2017-_4.html?QUERY