After consolidating the regulations relating to primary markets (as discussed in the previous post), SEBI has embarked upon the next exercise of revamping the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 1997 (popularly known as the Takeover Code). It has appointed a Takeover Regulations Advisory Committee (TRAC) to advise on changes to the made to the Takeover Code. I am...
SEBI issues circular to formalise clarifications on 5% additional creeping acquisition
I had briefly written in an earlier post of a report in CNBC/moneycontrol.com of certain “clarifications” in respect of the amendments to Regulation 11(2) of the SEBI Takeover Regulations. As may be recollected, the amendments permitted acquisition of further shares upto 5% for persons who held shares between 55-75%. This press report has now been formalised by a clarifying circular...
Depository Receipts and the Takeover Regulations
SEBI yesterday published its informal guidance in the matter pertaining to Bharti Airtel Limited. The question was whether the acquisition of 36% global depository receipts (GDRs) in Bharti Airtel Limited by MTN and its shareholders as part of the combination transaction would trigger various obligations under the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 1997. There are...
Directors are persons in control; failure to disclose their shareholding violates Takeover Regulations
In a far-reaching decision, the Securities and Exchange Board of India has ruled in an adjudication order that members of the board of directors of a listed company (“Target Company”) would be persons having control of the Target Company. Consequently, directors of the Target Company ought to make disclosures of their holdings under the disclosure requirements set out in the SEBI (Substantial...
Amendments to Takeover Regulations differently wide and narrow
The SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 1997 (“Takeover Regulations”) were amended last week to empower SEBI to grant exemptions from the strict operation of various operative provisions of the Takeover Regulations – initial comments on this blog were posted here. I wrote the following comment in the Economic Times, edition dated February 16, 2009:- The Securities...
Pyramid Saimira: SEBI Investigation
A couple of days ago, the media carried reports of SEBI having directed one of the promoters to make an open offer to the shareholders of Pyramid Saimira Theatres Limited at a price that is at a substantial premium to current market price. However, just a day later, SEBI put out a clarification that it had issued no such letter, which appears to have been forged. Sensing some foul play, SEBI has...
Buyback and Takeover Regulations
The issue of whether a buyback of shares will trigger an open offer under the Takeover Regulations has been the subject-matter of extensive discussion on this Blog. In addition, one of our guest contributors, Somasekhar Sundaresan, has a guest column in the Business Standard, which details the issues involved and makes some proposals for change. He states: “It is true that promoters in control of...
Recent amendment allowing additional 5% creeping acquisition for 55-75% slab – some issues
1) SEBI amended vide notification dated 30th October 2008 the Takeover Regulations Takeover to, in essence, permit an acquirer, with persons acting in concert with him, to increase his holding by 5% by acquiring additional shares or voting rights upto 5% through open market purchases or pursuant to buyback of shares by the target company. This was following a Press Release discussed here and...
Amendments to Takeover Regulations for creeping acquisitions through market acquisitions/buyback made
SEBI has amended the Takeover Regulations to permit creeping acquisitions vide a notification dated 30th October 2008. I had highlighted here the Press Release that announced the decision of SEBI for this purpose. Following some queries by readers, and also certain points by Mr. Umakanth, more specifically on a concern expressed by me on whether increase in percentage holding arising out of...
Would increase in percentage holding because of buyback trigger the Takeover Regulations?
(Note:- SEBI had issued a press release on October 27, 2008, that I had discussed here, whereby, inter alia, SEBI announced its decision to exempt increase in shareholding on account of buyback upto 5% from applicability of creeping acquisition requirements. I had pointed out that a view is possible to hold that the increase on account of buyback should not trigger the Takeover Regulations and...
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