Shares of Reliance Industries (RIL) recorded a gain of nearly 3% on Wednesday, reaching Rs 1,234 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The uptick in share price followed the opening of the highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) of Jio Platforms, which saw robust investor demand from the outset. The Rs 30,213 crore issue was fully subscribed within an hour of opening, with qualified institutional buyers showing significant interest, accounting for approximately four times the subscription in that category by late morning.
The IPO, which is priced in the range of Rs 1,065 to Rs 1,119 per share, is scheduled to remain open for public bidding until October 23. At the upper end of this price band, the valuation of Jio Platforms stands at approximately Rs 10.3 lakh crore, positioning it among the most valuable corporate entities in India. Market data indicated that unlisted shares of the company were trading at a grey market premium of about 25% over the set IPO price.
This performance marks a notable recovery for Reliance Industries shares, which had recently hit a 52-week low of Rs 1,152. Despite a year-to-date decline of roughly 22% in 2026, the stock has shown signs of momentum with a 4% gain over the past week. However, longer-term performance remains mixed, with the stock down 16% over the past year and recording a 7% decline over a five-year period.
Market experts have offered varying perspectives on the implications of this listing for investors. Arpit Jain, Joint MD at Arihant Capital Markets, suggested that Reliance Industries remains an attractive option for those seeking a diversified portfolio. By applying a 30% holding-company discount to RIL’s stake in Jio, Jain noted that the company’s attributable value stands at roughly Rs 4.65 lakh crore. This, he argued, allows investors to gain exposure to RIL's broader operations, including its oil-to-chemicals, retail, new energy, and media segments.
Conversely, some analysts maintain a more cautious outlook regarding the immediate impact of the IPO. Paresh Bhagat, Chairman of Mangal Keshav Financial Services, stated that much of the optimism surrounding Jio's public debut has likely already been factored into the price of Reliance Industries shares. According to Bhagat, while diversification offers earnings stability, the overall returns for shareholders will continue to be heavily influenced by the performance of the company's energy and other diversified business divisions.
As the bidding process progresses toward the October 23 deadline, investors are weighing the merits of focused exposure to India's digital and technology growth story through Jio Platforms against the broader, conglomerate-based value proposition offered by Reliance Industries. The ongoing market response to the IPO is expected to remain a key indicator of investor sentiment for the conglomerate’s diverse business interests in the coming days.
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