The Subhash Chandra-led cash-starved Essel Group on November 20 said it is planning to sell 16.5 per cent stake in its flagship ZEEL to financial creditors to meet its loan repayment obligations
If Sony is indeed acquiring Viacom18, it will become the largest media company after Disney Star
In the past three trading days, the stock of ZEEL has rallied 27 per cent, as compared to a 0.25 per cent decline in the Nifty 50 index.
While 1 per cent of the promoters' holding will still be pledged, analysts believe issues related to promoter debt will come to an end
Will sell 16.5% stake and retain 5.9%; promoters to retain management control
The downgrade in the rating inter alia factors the deteriorating financial flexibility of the group marked by an increased pledge of promoter holding and continuous volatility in share price movement
Sources familiar with the developments said following the sale of stake to a strategic investor, the promoters might have only 12 per cent, including the 10 per cent stake with VTB
Content inventory, related party transactions weigh on cash flows
The promoters of Essel group have got further extension from the lenders
The promoters had earlier sold their 11% stake in Zee to Oppenheimer
Rs 170-cr exceptional item provided for as related parties delayed payment
The Zee management indicated that the delay in closing the balance sale was due to restrictions on insider trading window
The move comes with the promoters getting the much-needed extension of up to six months to pay their dues from most of the mutual funds
The share sale comes at a time when Essel group is trying to get an extension from mutual funds (MFs) and other lenders to clear its dues
In the past three days, the stock of Essel Group Company has plunged 19 per cent.
As part of the 'standstill' agreement with MFs and other creditors, Essel promoters have till September-end to clear remaining dues
Despite the churn, the private banks will still top the chart with a weightage of 26 per cent in the index, followed by the energy sector at 23 per cent.
The stock was trading at its lowest level since January 25, 2019 and was 5 per cent away from its 52-week low of Rs 289 touched on the same day.
Zee stake sale to Oppenheimer would benefit MFs holding the firm's shares as collateral
Stake sale meets only 38% of outstanding loans of promoter group