Core Insights - The IPO of Orkla India Ltd opened for subscription on October 29, 2025, but has seen a slow bidding pace, with an overall subscription rate of just 37% as of 12.09 pm on the first day [1] - The IPO is valued at ₹1,667 crore and consists entirely of an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 2.28 crore equity shares, with a price band set between ₹695 to ₹730 per share [2] - The company is scheduled to debut on the stock market on November 6, 2025, after the subscription period ends on October 31, 2025 [3] IPO Details - The IPO is an offer-for-sale with no fresh issue component, and the lot size is set at 20 shares [2] - The anchor investor allocation raised approximately ₹500 crore from prominent investors prior to the public subscription [2] Shareholder Information - The selling shareholders include Orkla Asia Pacific Pte and shareholders Navas Meeran and Feroz Meeran, with Orkla Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd and Orkla ASA holding a combined 90% stake [4] Company Overview - Orkla India, previously known as MTR Foods, is a diversified food company with a strong presence in various categories, including spices, ready-to-eat meals, and breakfast mixes, marketed under brands like MTR and Eastern [5] Market Sentiment - Brokerages such as Mehta Equities and Anand Rathi have expressed optimism regarding the IPO, citing potential growth driven by category expansion, distribution, product innovation, and a debt-free structure [6] - Despite the strong brand portfolio and market potential, the initial response to the IPO has been lukewarm, indicating valuation concerns [7]

Company Overview - Orkla India is launching an initial public offering (IPO) of 2.28 crore equity shares, totaling Rs 1,667.54 crore, with no fresh capital being raised, as proceeds will go entirely to selling shareholders, mainly Orkla ASA and its affiliates [6][12] - The IPO is priced in the range of Rs 695–730 per share, requiring a minimum investment of Rs 14,600 for retail investors [6][12] - The shares are expected to be listed on both NSE and BSE on November 6, 2025 [2][12] Business Snapshot - Orkla India owns well-known consumer brands such as MTR Foods, Eastern Condiments, and Rasoi Magic, making it a significant player in the Indian packaged foods market [7][12] - The company operates nine manufacturing facilities in India and utilizes contract manufacturing in the UAE, Thailand, and Malaysia, selling over 2.3 million units daily across 28 states and 6 union territories, with exports to 42 countries [7][8][12] - Orkla is a category leader in southern India and is expanding its presence nationally, supported by a distribution network of 834 distributors and 1,888 sub-distributors [8][12] Financial Highlights - For FY25, Orkla India reported revenue of Rs 2,455 crore, a 3% year-on-year increase, with profit after tax (PAT) rising 13% YoY to Rs 256 crore [9][12] - The company's EBITDA was Rs 396 crore, reflecting healthy margins of 16.6%, and the PAT margin stood at 10.7%, indicating strong operational efficiency [9][12] Debt and Valuation - As of March 2025, Orkla India had negligible debt of Rs 2 crore, making it virtually debt-free, with a return on capital employed (ROCE) of 32.7% and return on net worth (RoNW) of 13.8% [10][12] - At the top end of the price band, the IPO values Orkla India at a post-issue P/E of 31.7x and a market capitalization of around Rs 10,000 crore, comparable to FMCG peers like Marico and Tata Consumer [11][12] Growth Drivers - Analysts highlight significant long-term potential for Orkla India as demand for packaged foods in India grows, driven by urbanization and convenience-oriented lifestyles [11][12] - The company's focus on value-added regional brands and category innovation is expected to support sustained growth in the coming years [11][12]