SEBI
has recently made certain amendments to the Takeover Regulations 2011 which are as follows:-
has recently made certain amendments to the Takeover Regulations 2011 which are as follows:-
Public announcement in case of
preferential allotment
preferential allotment
In
case an open offer is triggered by a preferential announcement, it is now
provided that the public announcement shall be made on the date when the Board
of Directors authorizes such resolution. The erstwhile requirement was that public
announcement shall be made on date of passing of special resolution approving
the preferential allotment. A related amendment further provides that in case
the acquisition through preferential allotment is not successful, the open
offer shall still not be withdrawn.
case an open offer is triggered by a preferential announcement, it is now
provided that the public announcement shall be made on the date when the Board
of Directors authorizes such resolution. The erstwhile requirement was that public
announcement shall be made on date of passing of special resolution approving
the preferential allotment. A related amendment further provides that in case
the acquisition through preferential allotment is not successful, the open
offer shall still not be withdrawn.
There can be a valid concern that the acquirer would have to make an open offer
and acquire shares even if he is unable to acquire shares pursuant to the preferential
allotment. However, it is generally unlikely that the Board would initiate a
proposal for preferential allotment and then the resolution is not approved.
This
preponement may affect the pricing of the open offer since the minimum offer
price is calculated with reference to the date of public announcement. The
schedule of open offer would also change.
preponement may affect the pricing of the open offer since the minimum offer
price is calculated with reference to the date of public announcement. The
schedule of open offer would also change.
Revised trigger date for public
announcement for multiple methods of acquisition
announcement for multiple methods of acquisition
A
new non-obstante clause 12(2A) provides for a revised trigger date for public
announcement when the acquisition is proposed through (i) agreement and one or
more specified modes, or (ii) otherwise through one or more of such specified modes.
In such cases, the public announcement shall be made on the date of the first of such of such acquisitions and
the acquirer cannot wait till the open offer trigger is actually crossed. Thus,
if, say, an acquirer proposes to acquire 31% through 3 modes, 10%, 12% and 9%
in that sequence, the public announcement needs to be made on making of the
first acquisition of 10%. The acquirer shall disclose the proposal to make
further acquisitions in such public announcement.
new non-obstante clause 12(2A) provides for a revised trigger date for public
announcement when the acquisition is proposed through (i) agreement and one or
more specified modes, or (ii) otherwise through one or more of such specified modes.
In such cases, the public announcement shall be made on the date of the first of such of such acquisitions and
the acquirer cannot wait till the open offer trigger is actually crossed. Thus,
if, say, an acquirer proposes to acquire 31% through 3 modes, 10%, 12% and 9%
in that sequence, the public announcement needs to be made on making of the
first acquisition of 10%. The acquirer shall disclose the proposal to make
further acquisitions in such public announcement.
This
would apply if all the acquisitions are together “proposed” at the first
instance. If, however, shares are acquired below the trigger point and later
further shares are acquired without the later acquisition being part of the
original proposal, then I think the public announcement would be triggered only
when the open offer trigger is crossed.
would apply if all the acquisitions are together “proposed” at the first
instance. If, however, shares are acquired below the trigger point and later
further shares are acquired without the later acquisition being part of the
original proposal, then I think the public announcement would be triggered only
when the open offer trigger is crossed.
Completion of acquisitions during the
offer period
offer period
Where
the acquisition is proposed through preferential allotment or through stock
market settlement process (other than bulk/block deals), the acquirer can now complete
the acquisition while the open offer is in process. However, the shares shall
be kept in an escrow account and the acquirer shall not exercise voting rights
on such shares. The shares in escrow account may be released after 21 working
days of the public announcement if the acquirer deposits 100% of the open offer
amount assuming full acceptance.
the acquisition is proposed through preferential allotment or through stock
market settlement process (other than bulk/block deals), the acquirer can now complete
the acquisition while the open offer is in process. However, the shares shall
be kept in an escrow account and the acquirer shall not exercise voting rights
on such shares. The shares in escrow account may be released after 21 working
days of the public announcement if the acquirer deposits 100% of the open offer
amount assuming full acceptance.
Disclosures when acquirer’s holding goes
below 5%
below 5%
Disclosures
of holdings are intended to begin when an acquirer acquires 5% or more shares
and thereafter when he further acquires/sells 2% or more shares. A question
that arose recently whether disclosure is required if there is a sale of 2% or
more shares and the post-sale holding thereby goes below 5%. The amended clause
now provides that disclosure is required also for the sale which results in the
holding going below 5%. This was even otherwise an accepted interpretation as,
for example, in Bhavesh Pabari v. SEBI (2012) 24 Taxman 64 (SAT).
of holdings are intended to begin when an acquirer acquires 5% or more shares
and thereafter when he further acquires/sells 2% or more shares. A question
that arose recently whether disclosure is required if there is a sale of 2% or
more shares and the post-sale holding thereby goes below 5%. The amended clause
now provides that disclosure is required also for the sale which results in the
holding going below 5%. This was even otherwise an accepted interpretation as,
for example, in Bhavesh Pabari v. SEBI (2012) 24 Taxman 64 (SAT).
Reference date in case of buyback of
shares
shares
Increase
in percentage holding of a non-participating shareholder in buyback of shares may
result in implications under the Regulations. A certain period is given to the
shareholder to restore his shareholding so that there are no implications. It
is now specified that this period shall be calculated from the date of the closure of the buyback offer.
in percentage holding of a non-participating shareholder in buyback of shares may
result in implications under the Regulations. A certain period is given to the
shareholder to restore his shareholding so that there are no implications. It
is now specified that this period shall be calculated from the date of the closure of the buyback offer.