Vedanta, Cairn India likely to be merged

Oil and metals producer Vedanta Resources Plc signalled on Tuesday it is considering a merger of two or more of its Indian subsidiaries, which could provide the debt-burdened units access to cash from other operations.

In a statement which disclosed the possibility of a merger of its Bombay-listed subsidiaries Vedanta Ltd and Cairn India Ltd, the holding company, Vedanta Resources PLC, said it would maintain its London-listing in case such transaction took place.

"Should a transaction with Cairn India proceed, it could potentially be considered a reverse takeover," Vedanta said in the statement.

"In addition, in line with the group's stated strategy to continue to simplify the group structure, the group continues to evaluate a transaction with the government of India in relation to their minority stakes in Hindustan Zinc Limited and Bharat Aluminium Company," it added, referring to two other subsidiaries in which the government holds large stakes.

The statement was issued in response to media reports suggesting an imminent merger.

Vedanta Resources shares in London rose as much as 8 per cent after the announcement, on course for the biggest one-day rise since mid April.

The London-listed parent has a majority stake in Vedanta Resources, which in turn holds a controlling stake in Cairn.

Vedanta Resources had net debt of $8.5 billion as of March 31.

Shares of Cairn India earlier closed down 4.3 per cent at Rs 173 while shares in Vedanta closed up 3.1 per cent at Rs 182.55 on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

(Reuters)