The primary market in India has experienced a weak first half with only eight companies launching IPOs, leading to earnings of Rs 5,800 crore. This is an 85% YoY drop compared to the same period in 2018. Inflation uncertainty and high interest rates made investors wary in the opening months, but sentiment picked up towards the close of H1. Mankind Pharma raised Rs 4,300 crore in its IPO, which was the largest issue launched by a drug maker since Gland Pharma in 2017. Analysts predict the remainder of the year will fare better than H1.
