MUMBAI | Thursday, November 6, 2025 — Packaged‑foods maker Orkla India made a muted stock‑market debut on Thursday, listing at a modest premium to the IPO price before giving up gains during the session. The stock opened at ₹750.10 on the NSE and ₹751.50 on the BSE vs an issue price of ₹730, but later slipped below the IPO price, underperforming grey‑market expectations that had signaled a stronger start. 1
Listing day snapshot
- Open: ₹750.10 (NSE), ₹751.50 (BSE); Issue price: ₹730. 1
- Intraday pressure: Within the first hour, the stock fell as much as ~7% from the listing price, hitting ₹697.15 on BSE and ₹702.85 on NSE, indicating a slide below the issue price. 2
- Expectations vs reality: Ahead of listing, the grey market premium (GMP) hovered around ₹66 (~9%), implying an indicative price near ₹796—well above the actual open. 1
- Market cap on listing: About ₹10,294.74 crore, per early‑session estimates. 3
- Listing mechanics: Shares admitted to trading on BSE (‘B’ Group) and NSE; stock participated in the Special Pre‑open Session (SPOS). 4
IPO by the numbers
- Offer size:₹1,667.54 crore, a 100% Offer for Sale (OFS) of 2.28 crore shares; no fresh issue proceeds to the company. Price band: ₹695–₹730. Lot size: 20 shares (min retail outlay ₹14,600 at upper band). 1
- Subscription strength:48.7× overall; QIB 117.63×, NII 54.42×, Retail 7.05–7.06×, Employees 15.12×. Bidding window ran Oct 29–31; allotment was Nov 3; listingNov 6. 1
- Intermediaries:BRLMs — ICICI Securities, Citigroup Global Markets India, J.P. Morgan India, Kotak Mahindra Capital; Registrar:KFin Technologies. 5
- Anchors: Raised about ₹499.6 crore from 30 anchor investors on Oct 28 by allotting 68.43 lakh shares at ₹730. 6
Why the debut felt “lukewarm”
The listing premium of 2.75–3% was well below the ₹66 (~9%) GMP seen ahead of trade, signaling tempered secondary‑market appetite despite a blockbuster subscription book. As trading progressed, profit‑taking and broader market softness saw the stock reverse into the red, at one point down ~6–7% from the open. 1
Company at a glance: brands & footprint
Orkla India—backed by Norway’s Orkla ASA—houses MTR Foods, Eastern Condiments and Rasoi Magic, spanning spices, masalas, ready‑to‑cook/ready‑to‑eat mixes, breakfast mixes and more. The business is organized into three units (MTR, Eastern, International) and exports to 40+ countries. Recent disclosures indicate double‑digit PAT margins (~10.7%) and steady topline growth. 5
What analysts are saying
Early broker commentary framed the debut as “decent but below GMP hopes.” One view suggested partial profit‑booking by allottees with a disciplined stop‑loss, while another advised holding for the long term given Orkla India’s category leadership and the secular shift toward branded packaged foods. (Paraphrased from broker notes reported in the press.) 1
Grey market vs. street: the gap explained
GMPs reflect unofficial sentiment and can soften into listing, especially when market mood is cautious. Today’s outcome underscores that oversubscription ≠ outsized listing pop; post‑listing price discovery still hinges on fundamentals, flows and day‑of sentiment. 1
Key takeaways for investors (Nov 6, 2025)
- Strong book, soft pop: Despite 48.7× bids, listing gains stayed low‑single‑digit. 1
- Quick reversal: The stock slid below the issue price intraday, at one point down ~7% from the open. 2
- Pure OFS:No fresh capital to the company; proceeds go to selling shareholders. 1
- Brand strength remains a pillar: A portfolio led by MTR and Eastern positions Orkla India to ride packaged‑food penetration trends. 5
Context & chronology (all times IST, Nov 6)
- 09:55–10:00 — Lists at ₹750.10 (NSE), ₹751.50 (BSE). 1
- ~10:20–11:10 — Shares trade lower; day’s low updates include ₹715 (early) and later ₹697.15/₹702.85 (BSE/NSE). 6
- Afternoon — Media characterizes debut as “lukewarm”/“muted” versus GMP‑implied pricing. 4
The bottom line
Orkla India’s Dalal Street debut on November 6, 2025 mirrors a year in which subscription heat hasn’t always translated into splashy listing gains. With a pure OFS and brand‑rich portfolio, the stock now shifts from IPO mode to earnings execution—where margins, distribution expansion and product innovation will likely drive the narrative from here. 1
Disclaimer: This article is for news and informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Markets are volatile; please consult a qualified advisor before making investment decisions.
