Software services provider Satyam Computers has postponed today’s board meeting to consider a buyback. Its chairman, B. Ramalinga Raju said that considering the questions that have been raised in the past two weeks, the need for them to be properly addressed and considering the interests of stakeholders, the company is broadening the scope of deliberations beyond a buyback.
Companies
Fertiliser companies get Rs 4,000 crore more in bonds
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December has been a good month for fertiliser companies. Earlier this month, the government had issued 7% bonds worth Rs 10,000 crore to 23 companies. Now the government has released another tranche of 6.2% bonds worth Rs 4,000 crore to 16 companies. These bonds are not eligible to be kept with banks as SLR but can be bought by insurance companies, in the ‘other approved securities’ list and as special bonds by PF/Gratuity/Superannuation funds.
Companies
Sebi’s letter to Pyramid Saimira a forgery, several unanswered questions
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“We are clear ….SEBI’s letter Forged….” That’s the blurb on Pyramid Saimira’s website, a sign of a relieved company or actually a relieved promoter that he is not under Sebi’s glare. But it would be unfortunate if the hoax perpetrated on the financial media, Pyramid’s shareholders and the market regulator Sebi were to end so tamely.
Companies
Axon goes to HCL: the mystery gameplan?
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Today, Axon Global’s shares will stop trading on the London Stock Exchange, marking a smooth ending to a takeover, which at one time saw HCL Technologies and Infosys Technologies pitted against each other. Though the logic of the deal and its benefits for HCL has been dealt with earlier, the ease with which HCL outbid Infosys is puzzling.
Economy+Policy
Ouch! November’08 excise collections down 15%
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Indian companies are struggling with a decline in demand which is affecting production, a fact visible in the December’08 quarter. If October’08 saw a marginal decline in industrial production after more than a decade of continuous growth, November’08 threatens to be worse. Investors should brace themselves for nasty surprises when the quarterly results are announced.
Companies
Suzlon Energy to pay Martifer 270mn euros in 3 tranches, 65mn euros right away
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Suzlon Energy has rescheduled its payment to Martifer, the Portuguese construction, energy and distribution company, for its 22.7% stake in Repower. Suzlon will now pay €65mn in December 2008, €30mn in April 2009 and the remaining €175mn in May 2009. The agreement will see Suzlon take control of Repower much later than scheduled but also gives it way out of a messy situation.
Companies
India’s industrial growth declines
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India’s industry is in trouble, with the index of industrial production declining by 0.4% in October 2008. Recent months have seen a distinct slowdown of production but this is the first time that there has been a decline. The main cause is a 1.2% decline in the manufacturing index even as the mining and electricity indices grew a bit.
Companies
What made the US FDA issue a warning letter to Sun Pharma’s subsidiary Caraco?
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The US FDA had issued a warning letter to Sun Pharma’s subsidiary Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories on Oct 31, 2008. The letter is now available on the FDA site detailing the reasons why the warning was issued. It points out deviations from current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for medicines. These deviations were detected in an inspection between May 1 to June 11 2008, and are mainly due to issues related to quality control. Continue Reading →
Companies
Crisil sells subsidiary in a MBO deal
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Crisil, the credit rating agency, has sold a majority stake in Gas Strategies Group, in a management buyout transaction. Crisil had paid 1.5mn pounds to acquire a 100% stake in the Gas Strategies Group (then known as EconoMatters) in December 2003. As of December 2007, it held 400,000 shares of Gas Strategies Group with a book value of Rs 16.2 crore.
Companies
Fertiliser companies get liquid
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The government has issued 7% fertiliser bonds worth Rs 10,000 crore to 23 companies, representing the subsidy given during FY09. These bonds are not eligible to be kept with banks as SLR but can be bought by insurance companies, in the ‘other approved securities’ list and as special bonds by PF/Gratuity/Superannuation funds. Moreover, they can also be eligible for repo transactions.