Today’s trade session isn’t ordinary. Multiple newly listed companies have just seen their shareholder lock-in periods expire, meaning chunks of stock that were not tradable until now are finally free to hit the market. That matters because it can tweak supply/demand dynamics and tilt short-term price moves. So the big question is, will these unlocks shake share prices or simply get absorbed quietly? Let’s walk through what’s happening and what traders and analysts are watching.
What Just Happened?
On 2 February 2026, listed shares of several firms, including Lenskart Solutions, Studds Accessories, Orkla India, and Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, became eligible for trading after their shareholder lock-ins expired. In simple terms: big chunks of shares that were restricted from selling are now allowed to be sold or traded freely.
Lock-in expiries don’t automatically trigger sell-offs; they just make selling possible without regulatory restriction. Whether holders choose to sell is the market’s real test.
A Quick Look at Each Stock
Studds Accessories – Lock-In Over, But Price Struggles Persist
For Studds, nearly 1.17 million shares were locked until 2 Feb and are now tradable. The stock has been trading weakly recently, showing investors haven’t been in a hurry to bid prices higher. This isn’t exactly panic selling, but it’s not showing strong buying support either.
Studds brought in steady subscription and listed in November 2025 at a modest level after a strong IPO interest, but its muted debut and recent sideways movement suggest investors are weighing valuation rather than enthusiasm.
Will prices slide? Likely not dramatically unless large holders decide to offload immediately. Market action so far says calm absorption rather than frenzy.
Lenskart Solutions – Phased Unlocks Adding Volume
Lenskart’s anchor and pre-IPO lock-in tranches covering tens of millions of shares were set to end around early February (some were already completed in December). This adds meaningful float to the market.
Lenskart’s IPO was one of the biggest this year, pulling strong initial subscription, but its listing was weak relative to the issue price, underperforming versus expectations despite heavy retail and institutional interest.
Analyst opinion on Lenskart has been mixed, with some criticizing its lofty valuation and others highlighting its strong brand and growth standing. In fact, some market veterans called high valuations a risk rather than a reward, especially when compared with fundamentals.
Impact on price? Because valuations were already under scrutiny, lock-in expiry might add downside pressure if large holders decide to sell, particularly on any signs of stagnation in retail growth or earnings momentum.
Orkla India – Consumer Staples on Watch
Orkla India’s lock-in for anchor investors also ended around this period. This household brand parent, best known for products like MTR and Eastern spices, has seen some downward pressure in its earnings metrics, with its latest quarterly profits easing compared to last year.
Staples stocks like Orkla often trade more sluggishly than high-growth names, so the end of lock-in doesn’t always mean big swings. It does deserve attention, though, because any additional selling here could weigh on consumer-oriented themes if indices are already shaky.
Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals—Steady Fundamentals Could Cushion Moves
Akums Drugs went public in mid-2024, and the staggered lock-in schedule means most large blocks have become tradable by now. The company operates in contract development and manufacturing (CDMO), a space with solid long-term demand, and its IPO historically saw strong subscription.
Even with heavy supply now floating, Akums doesn’t typically trade on speculative momentum like e-commerce plays. Longer-term, analysts see promise in its broad portfolio and CDMO depth, meaning the price reaction, if any, could be measured and not wild.
What Does This Mean for Share Prices Now?
Here’s a grounded breakdown:
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Short-term volatility: Very possible—a rise in tradable supply can stir price swings, especially in names with already thin liquidity or bearish sentiment (like Lenskart).
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Studds: More floating stock is available, but lack of strong buying interest means it’s more likely to drift lower or range than tank.
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Lenskart: Biggest candidate for choppiness—valuation concerns, and now more sellers means price could test recent support levels.
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Orkla India & Akums Drugs: Consumer staples and pharma typically see smoother adjustments, so if there’s selling pressure, it’ll likely be modest and digested over time.
The Critical Takeaway
Lock-in expiry is a supply event, not a guaranteed sell-off trigger. Traders should watch actual sales volume and how stock prices react in early trading. If stocks absorb these unlocked shares with rising buy interest, the expiry will go down as a non-event. But if volumes spike on the downside, that tells you new holders are booking profit or reallocating.
In markets where multiple IPO lock-ins expire together, psychology matters. Sometimes it’s just noise. Other times it’s the reason sentiment shifts. Today feels like the latter, a moment where supply dynamics could nudge price behavior even if fundamentals stay unchanged.
FAQs:
Q1: What is a lock-in period for IPO stocks?
A: A lock-in period is the time during which major shareholders, like promoters or anchor investors, are restricted from selling their shares after an IPO. Once it ends, those shares become tradable.
Q2: Which stocks are affected by this lock-in expiry?
A: Key IPO stocks impacted include Lenskart Solutions, Studds Accessories, Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, and Orkla India. Some have phased expiries, so supply may increase gradually.
Q3: Will the end of the lock-in trigger a stock price drop?
A: Not necessarily. Prices may face short-term volatility due to increased supply, but long-term movement depends on fundamentals, investor sentiment, and trading volume.
Q4: How should investors approach these stocks now?
A: Watch volume spikes, support/resistance levels, and market sentiment. Stocks with solid fundamentals (like Akums Drugs) may absorb the new supply better than high-valuation names (like Lenskart).
Q5: Is this news classified as IPO news?
A: Yes. Even though the IPO has already occurred, the story relates to post-IPO lock-in expiry, which affects trading and supply dynamics for newly listed shares.
Q6: How can I track the impact of lock-in expiry on these stocks?
A: Follow real-time trading volumes, broker updates, and price action on stock exchanges. News portals and financial trackers like Marketscreener, Groww, and NSE/BSE listings provide timely insights.
