Indian conglomerate Vedanta, led by billionaire Anil Agarwal, has received board approval for a substantial fundraise of up to 85 billion rupees ($1.02 billion). This decision, announced on Thursday, highlights the company’s strategic efforts to manage its financial health amid significant debt levels.
In a related development, Vedanta declared its first interim dividend of the fiscal year, amounting to 40.89 billion rupees. The company’s committee of directors is tasked with determining the specific structure of this fundraise, which may involve the issuance of equities and other financial instruments. However, Vedanta has yet to disclose how the raised capital will be allocated.
This move marks the second instance of fundraising by Vedanta in the current fiscal year. The company had previously announced plans to raise up to $300 million through debt securities just last month. These measures come as Vedanta undergoes a significant restructuring, splitting into six different units. Analysts remain skeptical about whether this reorganization will effectively address the group’s mounting debt concerns.
Vedanta’s financial challenges are evident in its rising debt and declining cash reserves. As of March 31, the company’s net debt had surged by approximately 25% year-over-year, reaching 563.38 billion rupees. Concurrently, Vedanta’s cash and cash equivalents dwindled from 69.26 billion rupees to 28.12 billion rupees over the same period.
The company’s decision to raise additional funds could be seen as a necessary step to manage its liquidity and financial obligations. However, without clarity on the intended use of these funds, market observers may remain cautious about the long-term impact on Vedanta’s financial stability.
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As Vedanta navigates through its restructuring and financial strategy, the industry will be closely watching how these decisions affect its market position and debt profile.
