PVR, INOX merge to form multiplex giant

Top of the Morning

In this episode, find out about Adani Gas’ foray into electric mobility infrastructure, also find out about Emami’s acquisition of Dermicool

Business Term of the Day: Employee Stock Option Plan

Leading film exhibition players PVR Ltd and INOX Leisure Ltd announced a merger deal to create the largest multiplex chain in the country with a network of more than 1,500 screens. The boards of directors of the two companies at their meetings held on Sunday approved an all-stock amalgamation of INOX with PVR, the two companies said in separate regulatory filings.

 

The board of state gas utility GAIL India Ltd will on March 31 consider the buyback of shares – the second buyback in as many years.

 

Adani Total Gas Ltd, a joint venture of Adani group and French energy giant TotalEnergies SE, has forayed into the electric mobility infrastructure sector by launching its first EV charging station in Ahmedabad. The charging station is located at ATGL’s CNG station at Maninagar in Ahmedabad, the company said in a statement.

Telecom company Bharti Airtel will acquire a 4.7 per cent stake in Indus Towers from Vodafone Group for about ₹2,388 crore, according to a company filing. The transaction will be executed at a price of ₹187.88 per share.

Home grown FMCG major Emami on Friday said it has acquired the ‘Dermicool’ brand from the British multinational consumer goods company Reckitt for a total consideration of ₹432 crore, expanding its play into the prickly heat and cool talc category.

Kerala-based gold loan NBFC, Manappuram Finance on Saturday received board of directors approval for fundraising to the tune of ₹7,800 crore through issuance of redeemable non-convertible debentures in tranches for the financial year 2022-23.

 Realty major DLF will invest around ₹2,000 crore to construct two new shopping malls in Gurugram and Goa, as it sees huge growth potential in organised retail with opening up of the economy after significant reduction in COVID-19 cases.

Moving on to markets

Indian indices may witness a flat to negative start on Monday.

Last week saw the markets close on a negative note after three straight days of losses.

Geopolitical tensions and supply constraints are likely to dominate the investor sentiments this week.

In Asia, shares in Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Shanghai declined, while that in Australia advanced on Monday in early trade.

 

Business Term of the day

The Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) is an employee benefit plan. It is issued by the company for its employees to encourage employee ownership in the company. The shares of the companies are given to the employees at discounted rates. Any company can issue ESOP.