SEBI approves iGate's Patni takeover deal

Tuesday, 29 March 2011, 18:14 IST
Printer Print Email Email
New Delhi: Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the $1.22 billion (more than 5,400 crore) takeover of India's sixth largest IT firm Patni Computer by US-based iGate. SEBI has issued final observations, made in an order dated March 25, on the deal which was awaiting regulatory nod for about two months. Earlier, SEBI had sought reply from the Merchant Bankers (MB) - Kotak Mahindra Capital Company - of the deal on certain clarifications required for the clearance. The open offer by the iGate was slated between March 4 and March 23. In January, US-based iGate-led consortium had clinched a deal to buy nearly 63 per cent stake in India's sixth largest IT firm Patni Computer Systems for about $921 million ( 4,188 crore) after several rounds of negotiations. The deal size, however, will go up to about $1.22 billion, after the acquisition of 20 per cent from public shareholders at the same price of 503.50 a share through the mandatory open offer. The aggregate price for the shares to be purchased in the open offer, assuming full tender, is estimated at $301 million. Under the deal, iGate, in a consortium with private equity firm Apax Partners, will buy the entire 45.6 per cent stake of Patni brothers -- Narendra Patni, Ashok Patni and Gajendra Patni -- along with General Atlantic's 17.4 per cent holding.
Source: PTI