Cos raise Rs 12,354 cr via QIP in first 8 months of 2013

Last year's total fund raising stood at Rs 8,969 crore through 47 issuances

Despite volatile markets, Indian companies have raised an estimated Rs 12,354 crore through 20 issuances via qualified institutional placement (QIP) route during the first eight months of 2013.

The amount raised through QIP from January till August 2013 has surpassed last year's total fund raising of Rs 8,969 crore via the same method through 47 issuances, SMC Global Securities said in a report.

The BSE benchmark Sensex has lost 4.9% or 961.09 points to 18,619.72 during this period.

QIP is a capital raising tool where a listed firm can issue equity shares to institutional investors.

Some of the key issuances during 2013 include that of Axis Bank with a QIP size of Rs 5,537 crore.

Fund raising through QIPs have slowed down in the recent months amid sluggish market conditions since June this year due to various domestic and international issues.

"One may see improvement in QIP market in the coming months due to increased fund raising from banks through this route.

"As of now, government is expected to encourage PSU banks to take the QIP route to raise additional capital," said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, Strategist and Head of Research, SMC Global.

QIP as a fund raising instrument was launched in 2006. Capital market conditions during 2006 to 2013 have made fund raising through QIP quite volatile, the report added.

"The sheer ease and convenience of the fund raising mode through QIP will pave the way for more robust action in this space once the market conditions and confidence return," Thunuguntla added.