AFTER THE STORM
Business Today India|August 20, 2023
SIX MONTHS AFTER A HINDENBURG REPORT LED TO A MELTDOWN IN ADANI GROUP STOCKS, THE CONGLOMERATE IS TRYING TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN GROWTH, CAPEX AND DELEVERAGING ITS DEBT
ANAND ADHIKARI
AFTER THE STORM

GAUTAM ADANI, 61, loves business jargon. Just a few months ago, the billionaire, caught in the cross hairs of the US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research, stumbled upon a new term, ‘permacrisis’. The term, which refers to a prolonged period of uncertainty, was chosen as Collins Dictionary’s word of the year in 2022. It describes the turbulent and uncertain nature of that year, and perhaps also the situation the Adani Group’s Chairman and Founder finds himself in—as he navigates the mother of all existential crises of his three-decade entrepreneurial journey.

Though the challenges still linger—sparked by a Hindenburg report alleging accounting fraud, stock manipulation, and routing of funds through foreign shell companies, all of which the firm has refuted— there is some breathing space. The group, which has a top line of ₹2.62 lakh crore and had lost over $100 billion in market capitalisation at one point, is gradually charting a new course by rebalancing its growth ambitions, slowing down on big-ticket acquisitions, deleveraging, and strengthening its balance sheet. The Adani family recently divested stakes in four group companies to raise $1.87 billion (₹15,500 crore) from global private equity firm GQG Partners. In addition, three companies have board approval to raise funding of $4 billion over the next 12 months. “There will be more equity dilution if they plan to grow at the same pace as earlier. It’s a Catch-22 situation. If growth slows down, the valuations will correct further,” sums up Ambareesh Baliga, a seasoned observer of the markets. But the group has been diluting equity since 2019 when global players like TotalEnergies, Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based IHC group invested a total of $5.79 billion. 

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BUSINESS TODAY INDIAView all
"Focus on the challenge of each customer"
Business Today India

"Focus on the challenge of each customer"

SHASHANK KUMAR MD & CO-FOUNDER I RAZORPAY Razorpay is India's first full-stack financial solutions company

time-read
1 min  |
December 08, 2024
PEDAL ON THE FUTURE
Business Today India

PEDAL ON THE FUTURE

THE MG WINDSOR EV, WITH ITS FUTURISTIC AND MINIMALIST DESIGN, COMBINES THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS-COMFORT AND TECHNOLOGY

time-read
1 min  |
December 08, 2024
BREATHE EASY
Business Today India

BREATHE EASY

Whether you're battling allergies, looking to remove pollutants, or simply want to breathe easier, the right air purifier can make a difference

time-read
2 mins  |
December 08, 2024
The Taste of India in a Glass
Business Today India

The Taste of India in a Glass

FROM ROYAL LIQUEURS TO DISTILLED MAHUA, INDIAN HERITAGE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE HAVING THEIR DAY IN THE SUN

time-read
4 mins  |
December 08, 2024
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Business Today India

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

IN 2025, INVESTORS WILL NEED TO FACTOR IN VOLATILITY ACROSS ASSET CLASSES

time-read
5 mins  |
December 08, 2024
MISSING ADVISORS
Business Today India

MISSING ADVISORS

INDIA HAS JUST ONE INVESTMENT ADVISOR FOR NEARLY EVERY 200,000 INVESTORS. AT A TIME WHEN RETAIL PARTICIPATION IN THE STOCK MARKETS IS BOOMING, THIS ASSUMES SIGNIFICANCE

time-read
7 mins  |
December 08, 2024
TURNING A CORNER
Business Today India

TURNING A CORNER

SHARED ELECTRIC MOBILITY START-UP YULU'S SHIFT TO SERVICING THE QUICK COMMERCE SECTOR IS HELPING IT GROW FAST. IT IS NOW FOCUSSING ON IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY FEATURES AS IT TURNS EBITDA POSITIVE

time-read
5 mins  |
December 08, 2024
REALITY CHECK
Business Today India

REALITY CHECK

INDIAN STOCK MARKETS PLUNGED BEGINNING OCTOBER FOR A HOST OF REASONS, INCLUDING A FALL IN FII OWNERSHIP. HOW DEEP WILL THE CORRECTION BE?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 08, 2024
TRUMP'S TRADE TANGO
Business Today India

TRUMP'S TRADE TANGO

The return of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the US has put the global economy on edge. India, too, is unlikely to remain unaffected. How will policymakers meet this latest challenge?

time-read
9 mins  |
December 08, 2024
"The essence of the Trump administration will be transactional”
Business Today India

"The essence of the Trump administration will be transactional”

Global investor, analyst, and best-selling author Ruchir Sharma decodes why Donald Trump won the elections, what India should do, the risks, and more

time-read
10 mins  |
December 08, 2024