Singapore, May 30 - Shares in Thai Beverage slumped more than 7 percent below their IPO price on debut on Tuesday as cautious investors questioned the value of the S$1.37 billion ($867 million) offering -- Singapore's biggest in over a decade.
Shares in Thai Beverage, known for its Chang Beer and Mekhong whisky, fell to a low of S$0.26, below the S$0.28 at which it was sold. It was the most actively traded share on the Singapore's stock market.
Market participants said expectations had been muted from the start, citing valuation concerns and investor nervousness in the face of jittery markets.
"The issue price is not considered cheap, and with issues surrounding the company in its home turf affecting sentiment, I did not expect the stock to fly," said a Singapore stock broker.
Thailand's largest brewer and distiller sought a Singapore listing after failed attempts to go public in Thailand, where it faced wrangling over whether alcohol firms were allowed to list.
The IPO was the city-state's biggest since Singapore Telecommunications' S$4.2 billion offer in 1993.
ThaiBev Chairman and liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi told reporters at the stock market that he was not disappointed with the stock's debut: "I'm looking for long-term performance, not short term."
Looking to expand outside Thailand, he said the float would put ThaiBev on an equal footing with potential foreign partners.
Credit Suisse said in a note to investors that while Thailand had been one of Asia's fastest-growing beer markets, growth might moderate to 3-5 percent given an already high per-capita consumption. It started coverage of the stock with a "neutral" rating and price target of S$0.30.
BAD TIME FOR STOCKS
ThaiBev sold a total of 4.89 billion shares at S$0.28 each, at the low end of the S$0.26 to S$0.36 indicative price range.
The share was 5.4 percent below its issue price at S$0.265 by 0435 GMT, underperforming a 0.3 percent rise in the Straits Times index, valuing the firm at around S$6.47 billion.
Half the shares offered were new, while the remainder were "vendor shares" owned by the family of Charoen. His family will remain the leading direct and indirect shareholder in the company.
The deal comes at an unfavourable time for equities as turmoil in financial markets has kept investors cautious.
World stock markets have fallen in recent weeks. Singapore stocks have slumped to levels last seen in January on worries over rising inflation and higher interest rates in the United States.
Last week, Singapore-based shipping firm Pacific King postponed its IPO plans, while units in Pacific Shipping Trust fell below their issue price on their first day of trading.
ThaiBev said last Friday it was still open to a second listing at home, given the opportunity.
Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan and Merrill Lynch are managing the issue with DBS Bank, which is the lead manager for the Singapore offer.