Primary market

Primary market 

Businesses raise capital in the primary market by issuing debt- or equity-based instruments. The primary market is where investors buy securities from the issuer directly, hence the name. It’s a great approach for businesses to raise money because it allows them to connect with plenty of investors. When looking to acquire additional funding for company entities, understanding this type of market will help you make better judgements. 

What is the primary market? 

A primary market is an entry-level market that makes it easier for organisations like corporations and governments to raise money. Securities are initially introduced to investors by issuing businesses in a primary market. Following the original sale, additional trading is carried over to the secondary market, where additional daily exchanges and trading occur. 

Understanding primary market 

Security creation takes place in the primary market. Businesses first list new stocks and bonds in this market. Companies and governmental bodies sell new shares, bonds, notes, and bills on the primary market to raise money for improvements and expansions to their businesses. 

 New securities – a corporate stock share or a bond – is introduced into the financial market during the main market hours, comparable to a debutante ball or a wedding. Primary markets help businesses and governments attract investors and raise capital for debt repayment or expansion. They also allow wealthy investors to invest, earn money, or seize an early opportunity in a budding business. 

Types of primary markets 

Primary market

The types of primary markets are as follows: 

  • Public issue 

The public issue is how newly produced assets and securities are available for public purchase. Due to this market aspect, the offering is called an IPO (IPO). 

  • Rights issue 

When businesses that have previously offered securities on the platform urge their current shareholders to purchase the new shares they launch, that is a right issue. The process is called a rights issue since it ensures the existing shareholders’ rights in the same firm.  

  • Private placement 

Businesses introduce securities for sale to a select group of investors on the private placement market. The businesses can continue to operate privately here. Participants in the start-up ecosystem typically use this type of issue to approach ultra-high-net-worth people (UHNWIs) and raise money. Furthermore, because of the fewer restrictions for the former, it is simpler to issue these securities than IPOs. 

Functions of primary market 

The functions of a primary market are as follows:  

  • A primary market offers a new issue that has never been traded on another exchange. Organising new issue offers entails, among other things, a thorough evaluation of project viability. Considerations of promoter equity, liquidity ratio, debt-equity ratio, and foreign exchange requirements are all included in the financial arrangements for the purpose.
  • A key marketing sphere also distributes a new issue. Its distribution starts with the release of a new prospectus. It extends an open invitation to the general public to purchase a new issue and offers complete details about the business, the issue, and the associated underwriters.
  • When introducing a new issue, underwriting is crucial. If an underwriter cannot sell the required number of shares to the public, one of its responsibilities in a primary market is to buy the unsold shares. A financial institution may take on the role of an underwriter and receive a commission for doing so. 

 

Examples of a primary market 

 Start-up ABC submits a bid for a significant project and is successful. However, substantial funding is needed to finish the project. As a result, it starts using securities in the primary market to raise money. An investment bank decides to invest in the securities for a fee after considering the company’s business plan. Thus, aiding the business in obtaining funding to resume work on the halted project. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Primary markets play a crucial role in an economy’s mobilising of savings. Savings from the community are tapped for investments in different ways. The savings finance the investment options.  

 Businesses can raise capital for a reasonable price, and the securities issued in the primary market, as a result, have high liquidity since they are quickly sold in the secondary market.  

 The primary market has much lower odds of price manipulation than the secondary market. By deflating or inflating a security’s price, manipulations impact the fair and free operation of the market. 

The primary market has some disadvantages as well. When an IPO is oversubscribed, it is challenging for ordinary investors to receive an allocation. The share price movement’s history data is unavailable.  

 The time horizons for the financial and fundamental valuations are three to four years. Issues listed in the primary market do not all benefit from listing gains. 

New shares are issued in a primary market. Existing shares are traded in a secondary market. The company receives the money from selling shares on a primary market. In the secondary market, the seller receives payment while the buyer purchases the shares. 

 There is no compensation for the company. In the primary market, securities are issued at a fixed price. In the secondary market, securities are traded at market value.

The primary market’s main role is to promote capital growth by enabling people to turn their savings into investments. It makes it easier for businesses to issue new shares to obtain cash from households directly for debt repayment or business expansion. 

Primary market issues are of different types. The most popular way to release securities of a corporation to the general public is through a public issue. The primary method is an  IPO, which enables businesses to raise cash on the capital market. These securities are listed on the stock markets. The other types are private placements, rights issues, and preferred allotments. 

Related Terms

    Read the Latest Market Journal

    How to select a unit trust

    Published on Apr 25, 2024 40 

    Navigating the vast world of unit trusts can be daunting. With nearly 2000 funds available...

    Predicting Trend Reversals with Candlestick Patterns for Beginners

    Published on Apr 24, 2024 57 

    Candlestick patterns are used to predict the future direction of price movements as they contain...

    Introduction to unit trust

    Published on Apr 23, 2024 42 

    In the diverse and complex world of investing, unit trusts stand out as a popular...

    Back in Business: The Return of IPOs & Top Traded Counters in March 2024

    Published on Apr 17, 2024 641 

    Start trading on POEMS! Open a free account here! At a glance: Major indices continue...

    Weekly Updates 15/4/24 – 19/4/24

    Published on Apr 15, 2024 74 

    This weekly update is designed to help you stay informed and relate economic and company...

    From $50 to $100: Unveiling the Impact of Inflation

    Published on Apr 12, 2024 162 

    In recent years, inflation has become a hot topic, evoking strong emotions as the cost...

    Japan’s Economic Resurgence: Unveiling the Tailwinds Behind Nikkei 225’s Record Leap

    Published on Apr 11, 2024 91 

    Source: eSignal, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. In the heart of Japan’s economic landscape, the Nikkei 225...

    Weekly Updates 8/4/24 – 12/4/24

    Published on Apr 8, 2024 112 

      This weekly update is designed to help you stay informed and relate economic and...

    Contact us to Open an Account

    Need Assistance? Share your Details and we’ll get back to you

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    This material is provided by Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (“PCM”) for general information only and does not constitute a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to invest in any of the exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) or the unit trust (“Products”) mentioned herein. It does not have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation and any of your particular needs. You should read the Prospectus and the accompanying Product Highlights Sheet (“PHS”) for key features, key risks and other important information of the Products and obtain advice from a financial adviser (“FA“) pursuant to a separate engagement before making a commitment to invest in the Products. In the event that you choose not to obtain advice from a FA, you should assess whether the Products are suitable for you before proceeding to invest. A copy of the Prospectus and PHS are available from PCM, any of its Participating Dealers (“PDs“) for the ETF, or any of its authorised distributors for the unit trust managed by PCM.  

    An ETF is not like a typical unit trust as the units of the ETF (the “Units“) are to be listed and traded like any share on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Listing on the SGX-ST does not guarantee a liquid market for the Units which may be traded at prices above or below its NAV or may be suspended or delisted. Investors may buy or sell the Units on SGX-ST when it is listed. Investors cannot create or redeem Units directly with PCM and have no rights to request PCM to redeem or purchase their Units. Creation and redemption of Units are through PDs if investors are clients of the PDs, who have no obligation to agree to create or redeem Units on behalf of any investor and may impose terms and conditions in connection with such creation or redemption orders. Please refer to the Prospectus of the ETF for more details.  

    Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The purchase of a unit in a fund is not the same as placing your money on deposit with a bank or deposit-taking company. There is no guarantee as to the amount of capital invested or return received. The value of the units and the income accruing to the units may fall or rise. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance of the Products. There can be no assurance that investment objectives will be achieved.  

    Where applicable, fund(s) may invest in financial derivatives and/or participate in securities lending and repurchase transactions for the purpose of hedging and/or efficient portfolio management, subject to the relevant regulatory requirements. PCM reserves the discretion to determine if currency exposure should be hedged actively, passively or not at all, in the best interest of the Products.  

    The regular dividend distributions, out of either income and/or capital, are not guaranteed and subject to PCM’s discretion. Past payout yields and payments do not represent future payout yields and payments. Such dividend distributions will reduce the available capital for reinvestment and may result in an immediate decrease in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Products. Please refer to <www.phillipfunds.com> for more information in relation to the dividend distributions.  

    The information provided herein may be obtained or compiled from public and/or third party sources that PCM has no reason to believe are unreliable. Any opinion or view herein is an expression of belief of the individual author or the indicated source (as applicable) only. PCM makes no representation or warranty that such information is accurate, complete, verified or should be relied upon as such. The information does not constitute, and should not be used as a substitute for tax, legal or investment advice.  

    The information herein are not for any person in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or availability for use would contravene any applicable law or regulation or would subject PCM to any registration or licensing requirement in such jurisdiction or country. The Products is not offered to U.S. Persons. PhillipCapital Group of Companies, including PCM, their affiliates and/or their officers, directors and/or employees may own or have positions in the Products. Any member of the PhillipCapital Group of Companies may have acted upon or used the information, analyses and opinions herein before they have been published. 

    This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.  

     

    Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (Co. Reg. No. 199905233W)  
    250 North Bridge Road #06-00, Raffles City Tower ,Singapore 179101 
    Tel: (65) 6230 8133 Fax: (65) 65383066 www.phillipfunds.com