Cochin Shipyard shares fall as Govt's divestment plan gets going

Cochin Shipyard share price declined as much as 4.90 percent to ₹1,590 on the BSE during the early trading session on Wednesday, as the two-day offer for sale (OFS) by the government began for subscription. 

The Central government on Tuesday said it plans to divest about 5 percent of its stake in the company through an OFS, priced at ₹1,540 per share. This price reflects a 7.8 percent discount to the previous day’s closing price, valuing the total stake at approximately ₹2,026 crore.

The divestment includes a base offer of a 2.5 percent stake, with an option to sell an additional 2.5 percent. 

Cochin Shipyard stock price was trading in the red, down 3.83 percent, at Rs1,608 at 10:30 am on BSE.

Govt to sell 2.5% stake

“The Government of India proposes to sell up to 65,77,020 equity shares of the company, representing a 2.50% stake as a ‘Base Offer’ on October 16, 2024, for non-retail investors only, and on October 17, 2024, for retail investors,” the company stated in an exchange filing. “This will include an additional sale of 65,77,020 equity shares (representing 2.50% stake) as the ‘Oversubscription Option’ through a separate, designated window of the Stock Exchanges, collectively representing 5% of the total issued and paid-up equity share capital of the company,” the company added.

Non-retail investors can participate in the sale starting October 16, with retail investors following on October 17. As of June 30, the government held a 72.86 percent stake in Cochin Shipyard.

This fiscal year, the government has raised ₹31.61 billion from divestments but has not set a specific target for the year.

B Miniratna PSU

Cochin Shipyard, established in March 1972 as a fully-owned entity of the Government of India, is classified as a Schedule B Miniratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Shipping. The company specialises in constructing, repairing, and refitting various types of vessels, including ship upgrades and life extension services.

Cochin Shipyard share price history

Year-to-date, Cochin Shipyard shares have outperformed the market, gaining 138.4 percent. Meanwhile, the stock has risen 206.9 percent over the past year. In comparison, the BSE Sensex has increased by 13.3 percent year-to-date and 23.7 percent over the past year.

The company’s total market capitalisation stands at ₹42,646 crore, with shares trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of 49.73 and earnings per share of ₹33.62. 

(By arrangement with livemint.com)