Subscribe To Our Free Newsletter |
BAT looks to raise $2.5 billion by trimming stake in ITC
BAT has 29.03% holding in the cigarette-to-chips conglomerate, as per December 2023 disclosures. Based on Monday’s closing price, BAT’s shareholding is valued at Rs 1.47 lakh crore ($17.75 billion). ITC’s total market capitalisation amounted to Rs 5.07 lakh crore ($61.17 billion). BAT sells cigarettes under brands such as Dunhill, Kent and Lucky Strike. The value unlocking could potentially help it prune leverage and resume a share buyback programme to enhance shareholder value. It launched the 2 billion buyback in 2022, but didn’t renew it last year.