BackTokio Marine raises stake in IFFCO-Tokio JV to 49%
Japanese major Tokio Marine hikes its stake in non-life insurance venture IFFCO-Tokio to 49% by acquiring additional shares in the company for Rs2,530 crore
Premium
New Delhi: Japanese major Tokio Marine has hiked its stake in non-life insurance venture IFFCO-Tokio to 49% by acquiring additional shares in the company for Rs2,530 crore.
Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) had entered into general insurance business in joint venture with Tokio Marine in 2000.
While Tokio Marine had 26% stake in the JV, IFFCO had 72.64% and Indian Potash Ltd (IPL) had 1.36%.
“Tokio Marine has purchased total 6,19,43,945 shares of IFFCO-Tokio from IFFCO and IPL for a total consideration of Rs2,530 crore," IFFCO managing director U.S. Awasthi told reporters.
As per the agreement, IFFCO has transferred 5,82,81,173 shares of IFFCO-Tokio to Tokio Marine for Rs2,380.4 crore while IPL sold 36,62,772 shares for Rs149.6 crore.
The shares of face value of Rs10 per unit were sold at Rs408.43 per share to Tokio Marine.
IFFCO has earned about 20 times more than on its original investment. The three promoters—IFFCO, IPL and Tokio Marine—had invested Rs560 crore in the company. Now the company is valued at Rs11,000 crore.
This transaction would help IFFCO raise the required capital to focus on more agri-businesses and to better serve the interests of Indian farmers in the fast changing agriculture sector, Awasthi said.
IFFCO stake will come down to 51% in the joint venture while IPL would exit from the insurance company.
“The additional share purchase is in line with Tokio Marine Group’s international business strategy to achieve sustainable growth and profit expansion as well as enhance diversified business portfolio through capturing growth opportunities in emerging countries," said Arthur Lee, chief executive of Tokio Marine Asia.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irdai) has accorded approval for increasing the stake.
The decision regarding divestment was made after the government hiked the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in insurance sector to 49%.
Asked if the company would require additional capital for growth, Awasthi said both the promoters would bring in as much capital as needed.
IFFCO-Tokio managing director Warendra Sinha said the company is expecting 15% growth in topline during the current fiscal.
The insurance company would be comfortable if Rs200- 300 crore comes in but there is no immediate requirement at the moment, he said, adding the company earned a net profit of Rs420 crore in 2016-17. The company had collected a total premium of Rs5,635 crore during the period.
Regarding the impact of the goods and services tax (GST) on premium, Sinha said there will be no increase even when the rate of interest has gone up to 18%.
Public offer could be a possibility in the next 3-4 years, Awasthi said.
Following FDI liberalisation in insurance sector in 2015, many foreign partners including Standard Life, Nippon, Mitsui Sumitomo raised their stake in respective insurance ventures.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
