Vedanta Unveils $1 Bln Fundraising Plan, Declares Dividend

Indian conglomerate Vedanta Ltd. plans to raise as much as 8,500 crore rupees ($1 billion) via the issue of securities and also declared a dividend of 4,089 crore rupees.

The company’s board today approved the fundraising through the issue of equity shares or any financial instruments, including security convertible into equity shares and foreign currency convertible bonds, Vedanta said in a stock exchange announcement.

The diversified natural resources conglomerate will raise the funds via one or more public or private offerings, further public offering, qualified institutional placement, preferential allotment, rights offering or American depository receipts and global depository receipts, it added.

Vedanta said its board authorized the company’s committee of directors to decide the structure, form of issuance, price, terms and all other matters related to the fundraising.

The proposed fundraising will be subject to approval of shareholders as well as necessary regulatory and statutory approvals. The company didn’t disclose the proposed use of funds and the timeline of fundraising.

DIVIDEND BONANZA

Vedanta said its board also approved a first interim dividend of 11 rupees per share amounting to 4,089 crore rupees for FY25.

The dividend will be paid to shareholders of record on 25 May within the stipulated timelines.

SAUDI ARABIA INVESTMENT

The Mumbai-based Vedanta said its board an investment in Saudi Arabia-based Vedanta Copper International VCI Company Ltd., which is yet to commence business operations.

It was incorporated on 14 November 2023 to set up a copper rod manufacturing unit in Saudi Arabia.

Vedanta will acquire a 100% stake in Vedanta Copper International for 100,000 Saudi riyals ($26,646) in cash and following the acquisition, it will become a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

The conglomerate said Vedanta Copper International is in the process of establishing a copper rod manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia, with an annual capacity of 125,000 tons. This will enable Vedanta to explore more growth opportunities in new geographies, it added.

Note: $1 = 83.4718 Indian rupees

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