What is a share buyback?
A share buyback is a process in which a company repurchases its own shares from the market, usually to reduce the number of shares outstanding and increase the value of remaining shares.
Why did Bajaj Auto decide to buy back its shares?
Bajaj Auto, one of the leading manufacturers of motorcycles and three-wheelers in India, announced on Tuesday that its board has approved a share buyback plan worth Rs 4,000 crore. The company plans to repurchase 40 lakh shares, or 1.41 per cent of the total equity shares, at a price of Rs 10,000 per share. This represents a premium of 43 per cent over the closing price of Rs 6,983.85 on Monday.
The company said that the buyback is being undertaken for the following reasons:
- To distribute surplus cash to its shareholders holding equity shares broadly to the proportion of their shareholding, thereby enhancing the overall return to shareholders.
- To improve key financial ratios such as earnings per share, return on equity and return on capital employed by reducing the equity base of the company.
How will the buyback affect the shareholders and the company?
The buyback offer is expected to benefit the shareholders who tender their shares, as they will receive a higher price than the prevailing market price. The buyback will also increase the demand for the shares in the market, which may boost the share price in the short term.
The buyback will also reduce the number of shares outstanding, which will increase the earnings per share and improve the profitability ratios of the company. The buyback will also reduce the cash reserves of the company, which may affect its ability to invest in future growth opportunities or pay dividends.
What is the timeline and process of the buyback?
The company has not yet announced the specific dates for the buyback, but it is expected to be completed within 3-3.5 months from now. The buyback will be done through the tender offer route, which means that shareholders who wish to participate in the buyback will have to submit their shares to the company through their brokers or depository participants.
The company will accept shares on a proportionate basis, depending on the number of shares tendered by each shareholder. The company will also reserve 15 per cent of the buyback size for small shareholders, who hold shares worth up to Rs 2 lakh as on the record date.
The company will pay cash consideration to the shareholders whose shares are accepted for buyback and return the remaining shares to them.
What are some of the risks and challenges involved in the buyback?
The buyback is subject to approval from shareholders through a postal ballot and from regulatory authorities such as SEBI and stock exchanges. The buyback may also face legal challenges from minority shareholders or other stakeholders who may oppose or question the rationale or fairness of the buyback.
The buyback may also affect the liquidity and volatility of the shares in the market, as there will be fewer shares available for trading. The buyback may also have tax implications for both the company and the shareholders, depending on their holding period and tax status.
The buyback may also impact the future growth prospects of the company, as it may limit its ability to raise funds from equity markets or invest in new projects or acquisitions.