Agro Tech Foods: Promoter Stake Sold At Discount. Are Minority Shareholders Short-Changed?

Agro Tech Foods Ltd.'s promoter ConAgra Brands Inc. plans sell its entire stake in the company to private equity firm, Samara Capital & Infinity Holdings, at a deep discount to the current market price.

The promoter will sell its controlling stake of 51.8% at Rs 515 apiece, a discount of 48.85% to Thursday's closing price of Rs 1,006.95 apiece on the NSE.

However the mandatory open offer of 26% to the public shareholders is at Rs 578 apiece, a discount of 42.59% to the Thursday's closing price and a discount of 17% to the average price of the stock in past one year.

The substantial markdown on shares compared to both the current market value and the average price over the past year raises concerns about equity for the remaining minority shareholders, who retain 48.2% ownership in the company.

Why Agrotech open price is at such high discount?

As per the press release the valuations are low because the shares are not frequently traded. Average volumes traded in the last one year was only 18,566 shares per day, which is 0.15% of the free float.

Shares of Agro Tech tumbled 10.92% to Rs 897 apiece, compared with 1.49% rise in the benchmark Nifty 50.

The one analyst tracking the buy has maintained a 'buy' rating on the stock, according to Bloomberg data. The average 12-month consensus price target implies a downside of 4.3%.