Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), India’s leading oil marketing company announced the withdrawal of its Rs 22,000 crore rights issue. The decision to call off this major capital-raising plan came following directives from the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG).

Initially, IOC’s board had approved the plan for a rights issue to raise Rs 22,000 crore, as per an earlier notification dated July 7, 2023. The proposal was subject to statutory approvals, and it was seen as a means to boost the company’s capital structure and fund its ongoing projects.

However, in a recent board meeting held on September 30, 2024, IOC decided to cancel the proposed rights issue. This decision was directly influenced by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas’s communication that no funds were allocated for capital support to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the Union Budget 2024-25.

The government’s initial plan included a proposed allocation of Rs 30,000 crore for capital support to OMCs, but this amount was eventually excluded from the final budget. Consequently, the government, which is the promoter of IOC, indicated that it would not participate in the rights issue.

IOC addressed this development in an official statement: “In this regard, we would like to inform that the MoP&NG has conveyed that no funds have been allocated for capital support to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the Budget 2024-25, as against the earlier proposed allocation of ₹30,000 crore. Therefore, in view of the Government of India’s (Promoters) non-participation in the Rights Issue, the Board at its meeting held on 30.09.2024 has decided to withdraw the proposed Rights Issue of equity shares,” the company stated in its exchange filing.

A rights issue is a mechanism used by companies to raise capital by offering existing shareholders the chance to purchase additional shares at a discounted price. This method allows shareholders to maintain their ownership percentage in the company while providing the organization with much-needed funds, often used for expansion projects, debt reduction, or other financial needs.

The rights issue is typically offered in proportion to a shareholder’s current holdings and is usually time-bound. Shareholders who choose not to buy more shares can sometimes sell their rights on the market. Companies often resort to rights issues when they need to raise capital without incurring additional debt.

Despite the announcement of the withdrawn rights issue, IOC’s stock has demonstrated resilience, closing flat at Rs 180.15 per share on the National Stock Exchange on Monday. The stock has soared by 98% over the last year, and in 2024, the stock has gained over 38%. IOC’s stock added 1.4% in September, recovering from a 2.6% decline in August. Currently, IOC is trading 8.5% below its peak of Rs 196.80, which it reached in February this year. The stock has also seen a rise of over 110% from its 52-week low of Rs 85.51, recorded in October 2023.

The cancellation of the rights issue doesn’t necessarily indicate any financial distress for IOC. Instead, it aligns with the government’s decision not to allocate funds for capital support to OMCs in the current fiscal year. Following the announcement, market analysts are monitoring IOC’s next steps in terms of capital raising and expansion strategies. Although the rights issue cancellation might raise short-term concerns, the company’s track record, solid market fundamentals, and growth prospects keep investors optimistic.

Story first published: Monday, September 30, 2024, 16:20 [IST]