LG India’s $1.3 billion IPO subscribed fivefold on strong bids

Core Insights - LG Electronics Inc. successfully launched a $1.3 billion initial public offering (IPO) for its Indian unit, which was five times subscribed, indicating strong demand from institutional and wealthy investors [1][2]. Investor Demand - Subscriptions from wealthy individuals reached 13 times the allocated shares, while qualified institutional investors subscribed at 2.7 times, retail investors at 2.5 times, and employees at 5.3 times [2]. IPO Details - The IPO involves the sale of 71.3 million shares priced between 1,080 rupees and 1,140 rupees each, potentially valuing LG Electronics India Ltd. at up to 774 billion rupees ($8.7 billion), making it a contender for India's largest listed home-appliance maker [3]. Market Context - The IPO reflects a strong and sustainable consumption story in India, as noted by LG's chief sales officer, highlighting 28 years of trust from Indian consumers and partners [4]. - This offering marks the fourth billion-dollar IPO in India for the year, contributing to the country becoming the world's fourth-largest IPO market in 2025, with proceeds exceeding $13 billion [4]. Investor Participation - LG attracted significant interest from sovereign wealth funds from Abu Dhabi, Norway, and Singapore, as well as global asset managers like BlackRock Inc. and Fidelity International Ltd. [5]. Valuation Insights - The IPO is priced at approximately 35 times earnings for the year ended March 31, which is considered reasonable compared to peers trading at higher valuations, reflecting the company's strong market position and brand equity [6]. Product Leadership - LG Electronics India holds leading market positions in various product categories, including washing machines, refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, and microwave ovens, based on offline market share [7]. Underwriters - The share sale was managed by Axis Bank Ltd. and the Indian units of major financial institutions including Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp., and Citigroup Inc. [8].