BackReliance says it regrets being drawn into Zee-Invesco dispute. Full text here
Earlier during the day, Invesco said that it has facilitated negotiations between Reliance and Zee
PremiumReliance Industries on Wednesday said that it regrets being drawn into the dispute between Zee Enterprises and Invesco, refuting the reports in the media as inaccurate.
A day after Punit Goenka alleged that Invesco pushed an overvalued deal with a "large Indian group," Reliance clarified that it made a broad proposal with Zee for merger of media properties at a “fair valuation".
Earlier during the day, Invesco said that it has facilitated negotiations between Reliance and Zee in February, but the company's MD and CEO Punit Goenka rejected it.
Read the full text here
We regret our being drawn into the dispute between Zee and Invesco. The reports in the media are not accurate.
In February/ March 2021, Invesco assisted Reliance in arranging discussions directly between our representatives and Mr Punit Goenka, member of the founder family and Managing Director of Zee.
We had made a broad proposal for merger of our media properties with Zee at fair valuations of Zee and all our properties. The valuations of Zee and our properties were arrived at based on the same parameters. The proposal sought to harness the strengths of all the merging entities and would have helped to create substantial value for all, including the shareholders of Zee.
Reliance always endeavours to continue with the existing management of the investee companies and reward them for their performance. Accordingly, the proposal included continuation of Mr Goenka as Managing Director and issue of ESOPs to management, including Mr Goenka.
However, differences arose between Mr Goenka and Invesco with respect to a requirement of the founding family for increasing their stake by subscribing to preferential warrants. The investors seemed to be of the view that the founders could always increase their stake through market purchases.
At Reliance, we respect all founders and have never resorted to any hostile transactions. So, we did not proceed further.
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!
