Indiabulls to raise $1bn; power IPO in 6 mths

Diversified group Indiabulls is looking to raise about $1 billion through bond offering or a hybrid instrument, which would include issuance of both equity and debentures, for its flagship firm Indiabulls Financial Services.

This domestic market offering comes close on the heels of the group having raised about $400 million through an equity placement with the likes of Lakshmi Mittal in its power arm last week and its real estate business's plans to raise $1.2 billion through the listing of a property investment trust in Singapore.

The $1 billion issuance, likely to commence very soon, could be followed by the group taking public its power arm Indiabulls Power Services through an IPO in about next six months, according to investment banking sources.

In order to create further shareholder value, the group has already decided to demerge its brokerage business Indiabulls Securities into a separate company, which it plans to list separately on the bourses very soon.

"We had previously thought of raising funds from overseas markets by offering international securities such as ADRs (American Depository Receipts) and GDRs (Global Depository Receipts). But, for now we will raise about $1 billion from the domestic market itself by issuing bonds convertible into equities or a hybrid instrument that would be a mix of equity and convertible bonds," a senior Indiabulls Financial Services official said.

The company is working on the fund raising plan actively and it should commence soon, IBFSL Corporate Affairs President Ajit Mittal told PTI.