Economy

Adani Group stocks start picking up again

Billionaire businessman Gautam Adani’s net worth is beginning to climb once again with all Adani Group stocks trading in green today. The biggest gain was for Adani Enterprises, which had hit headlines after its Rs 20,000 crore follow on public offer was withdrawn.

Gautam Adani, Chairman of the group and his family have repaid Rs 9,250 crore ($1.1 billion) of debt backed by shares ahead of its repayment schedule in September 2024. The group announced the decision on Monday saying that it was being done in the light of market volatility. The move is expected to soothe the investors’ nerves.

Besides in a report, CSLA Ltd which focuses on capital markets noted that that the country’s banking sector’s exposure to the group is less than 40 per cent of total debt of the group. The group’s exposure in private banks’ is below 10 per cent of total group debt. The report also noted that it had largely financed assets with strong cash flows such as airports and ports.

The debt levels of the Adani Group are currently at Rs 2 lakh crore, double of what it was three years ago. Its bank debt rose more than 25 percent, the report said.

Adani’s businesses are spread across sectors, from mines, ports, airports, power plants, media, renewable energy among others.

Recently, Adani Group had also finalized the takeover of the of Haifa Port in Israel for $1.15 billion. The port, which handles about 20 million tons of cargo pass through annually, is strategically located. The move will allow Adani to set foot in the European port sector while tapping the Mediterranean region.

Many questions came up when Adani decided to suddenly withdraw its fully subscribed FPO. The move further dampened market sentiments.

“It was a gamble..he tried to take a moral high ground,” an analyst said.

In 2023, the foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have already pulled out $3.8 billion from the Indian equity markets.

However, on February 4, the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in a statement said, “The Indian financial market as represented by Sensex and Nifty has demonstrated ongoing stability and is continuing to function in a transparent, fair and efficient manner.”

FIIs inflow in turn have increased into the Chinese markets.

Will Indian markets overcome the current tide?

The analyst said that while the jury is out, the Indian stock market today is dominated by the domestic institutional investors (DIIs) which include the mutual funds and local pension funds among others. “The dependence on FIIs is limited unlike a decade ago when FIIs pulling out meant a stock market crash,” he said.

Anand Mahindra, Mahindra Group Chairman earlier took to Twitter and took a direct dig at the global media. “Global media is speculating whether current challenges in the business sector will trip India’s ambitions to be a global economic force,” he said. “I’ve lived long enough to see us face earthquakes, droughts, recessions, wars, terror attacks. All I will say is: never, ever bet against India,” Mahindra said.

Also read: Adani Enterprises withdraws its Rs 20,000 crore FPO

Mahua Venkatesh

Mahua Venkatesh specialises in covering economic trends related to India and the world along with developments in South Asia.

Recent Posts

IAF orders enquiry after MiG-29 aircraft crashed near Agra

Indian Air Force (IAF) has said it has ordered an enquiry hours after a MiG-29…

5 hours ago

Paank urges Pakistan to end enforced disappearances following release of abducted students

The Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement, Paank, has emphasised that enforced disappearances…

5 hours ago

UKPNP condemns new restrictions on civil liberties in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir

The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) has condemned a recent notification from the government…

5 hours ago

India-Vietnam Joint military exercise Vinbax 2024 commences at Ambala

The 5th Edition of Vietnam Indian Bilateral Army Exercise "VINBAX 2024" commenced on Monday and…

7 hours ago

“Disaster relief in the Indo-Pacific: A key element of India-Australia bilateral ties”, says EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underscored the deepening bilateral relationship between India and Australia during…

8 hours ago

Bramption temple attack: Hindu organisations call for protest against “Khalistani intimidation” today

Following recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, the Coalition of Hindus of North America…

8 hours ago