Vedanta Demerger Plan Gets Nod From Shareholders, Creditors; Stock Up

Vedanta Ltd. on Thursday said it has received approval from equity shareholders and creditors for its proposed plan to split the mining conglomerate into five different businesses. The resolution was passed by the requisite majority during meetings held on Feb. 18.

The demerger plan, approved by its board in September 2023, is part of Vedanta's broader strategy to streamline operations and enhance shareholder value, allowing each entity to pursue its respective growth opportunities more effectively. This plan required approval from both secured and unsecured lenders, with a majority representing three-fourths of the debt value needing to vote in favour.

The demerger, which has received no-objection certificates from the BSE and NSE, will have Vedanta Aluminium Ltd., Vedanta Oil & Gas Ltd., Vedanta Power Ltd., Vedanta Steel and Ferrous Materials Ltd., and the existing Vedanta Ltd. Originally planned as a six-way demerger, the structure was revised to five.

Shareholders of the Anil Agarwal-led company will receive one share in each of the four new companies for every existing share they hold. This demerger offers several benefits to shareholders, including exposure to five distinct "pure play" companies, each with a strong potential for re-rating.

Essentially, investors who were previously invested in Vedanta and Vedanta Aluminum will now gain stakes in the other three demerged entities at virtually no additional cost.