01 March 2013

Tax Free Bonds, investment opportunity

Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC) will open its public issue of Tax Free Bonds - Tranche II of the face-value of  1,000 each in the nature of secured, redeemable, non-convertible debentures, having benefits under section 10(15)(iv)(h) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, aggregating up to a total of  1000 Crores with an option to retain an over subscription upto the residual shelf limit (i.e.  3,513 Crores).
The issue has 2 investment options - 7.38% p.a. (10 Yrs), 7.54% p.a. (15 Yrs) for investments up to and including  10 Lakhs and 6.88% p.a. (10 Yrs), 7.04% p.a. (15 Yrs) for investments above  10 Lakhs. The issue starts on February 25, 2013. Allotment will be on a first come first serve basis across all categories.
The issue has been rated "CRISIL AAA/Stabe" by CRISIL, & "[ICRA] AAA" by ICRA and "CARE AAA" by CARE.
 
Issue Details
ListingBSE & NSE
Tranche II Series**12
Tenure10 Years15 Years
Interest PayoutAnnualAnnual
Coupon RateRetail Investors*7.38% p.a.7.54% p.a.
QIBs, HNIs and Corporates6.88% p.a.7.04% p.a.
Redemption Amount per BondRetail Investors*Face Value + Interest Accrued
QIBs, HNIs and Corporates
Minimum Application5 Bonds ( 5,000) across both the Series
*Please note that the additional interest of 0.50% p.a shall only be available to the original Allottees under Category IV for the Tranche - II Series 1 Bonds and the Tranche - II Series 2 Bonds. In the event the Bonds held by the original Allottees under Category IV are sold/ transferred (except in case of transfer of Bonds to legal heir in the event of death of the original Allottee), the coupon rate shall stand revised to the coupon rate applicable for Allottees falling under Category I, Category II and Category III.
**Company shall allocate and Allot Bonds of Tranche II Series 2 to all successful Applications, wherein the Applicants have not indicated their choice of the relevant Bond series.
Please note that for the purpose of classifying the Investors into various categories, the Applications will be consolidated on the basis of PAN.